KAURAV'S COURT

KAURAV’S COURT

EPISODE-1

The second round of Ram Nath’s daily stroll was interrupted by the unpleasant message he received from home. There was a phone call from Maya Nagar. The house of his sister Neelam had been plundered. The plunders had injured all the members of her family.

“Leave your walking. Come with me immediately,” said his daughter who had brought the unsavoury message.

Due to brisk walk Ram Nath was already out of his breath, but the news of rapine increased his palpitation still further. A mist of uncertainty eclipsed his vision for a moment.

In a bid to contain his staggering self, he squatted on the ground and removed his shoes. He wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead, had a draught of water and sprinkled some on his eyes. As he gathered himself a bit he got up and seated himself on the pillion of his daughter’s moped.

What was even more stupefying than the pillage was the fact that the telephone call had come from one of Neelam’s neighbours. Why did any of the members from the family of Mohan Lal, Neelam’s Jeth, not bother to inform them.

Mohan’s was not an ordinary family. It was one of the few affluent families of Maya Nagar. He had a very flourishing business and access to the power corridors. He was a renowned figure of the city.

"Did non & his family reach on the spot? If no, then why not "?"

Ram Nath tried hard, racking his brains to demystify this nerve-shattering riddle while his wife was busy, packing for going to the city.

This question did not emerge in his mind for nothing; it had a substantial rationale behind it.

Both the families had been at logger heads for sometime. The property dispute had slipped form the hands of family mediators and reached the courts. Mutual relations had soured and they were not on speaking terms with each other.

Ram Nath’s needle of suspicion pointed to Mohan Lal’s family. And it was not without reason at all. An indication regarding such an incident had come from none else than Mohan Lal’s wife herself. Despite all animosity between Ved and his nephews, Maya Devi had no love lost for Ved and his family. The situation was different when Mohan Lal was alive. Now the unbridled boys behaved like spoilt brats. Maya Devi had many a time, overheard them talking in a hush-hush manner over drinks and conspiring some evil designs. Sometimes, they said,” Chacha Ved is very proud of his muscles made during youth. We’ll crush his biceps. And Neelam ! she thinks herself very sensible and intellectual. We’ll break her skull in to smithereens.” Neha, the poor thing, had never done any harm to anybody. They talked of stripping her, their younger sister, naked in the market- place. Ved’s only heir Kamal was the biggest eyesore for them. Sometimes they were overheard planning to eliminate him.

As a gesture of sympathy, Maya Devi had suggested Ved to make peace with the boys.

"Don’t say I never told you, if something goes wrong tomorrow,” she in a way warned him.

Ram Nath had got an inkling of this warning but he did not bother much. As a student of law he had read in criminology that civilized classes never resort to physical violence. They believe more in a legal battle than a sanguinary strife. It was not merely a theory. Ram Nath experienced it daily in his day-to-day life. A migrant labourer would behead another of his own tribe in a dispute over a paltry sum of fifty rupees only. On the other hand in Maya Nagar, there were people involved in mutual litigation and common business at the same time. Husband-wife would spend a night with each other even after getting divorced.

Acting upon the criminological theory, Ram Nath had advised Ved not to worry much about the warning.

Ram Nath called for a taxi for going to Maya Nagar. He removed his track-suit and put on Kurta-Pajama. He opened the steel almirah, took a bundle of currency notes worth ten thousand and thrust it into his pocket.

Then Ram Nath called his younger brother Mangat and apprised him with the entire situation. He entrusted him the responsibility of looking after the children in his absence and handed him a cheque of twenty thousand rupees to be encashed later from the bank. He would ring him up from Maya Nagar. “If the matter is not very serious I’ll be back by evening or if need be I’ll call you also,” said Ram Nath to Mangat.

It was one-hour distance from h is city to Maya Nagar. Earlier, this distance was covered within no time but today every moment seemed to have stretched into an eternity. Feeling uneasy at heart he was fidgeting on his seat. Anxiety about the family of sister Neelam was gnawing at his heart “ Nobody ever is closes ever discloses truth over telephone in such matters. Much more is concealed than revealed. God forbid..-..” he was praying within his heart.

“After all who may have committed this dastardly act ? “ Various suchlike inquisitions started crowding Ram Nath’s mind as the car was running on its way to Maya Nagar.

“Now-a-days, these ‘Kala Kachha’ gang's are notoriously engaged in committing such incidents. May be one of these gangs was behind all this.”

But the very next moment, he ruled out the possibility of Kala Kachha gang's involvement as they of ten committed such crimes in the colonies settled on the outskirts of cities. Neelam’s house was in the thick of the city with big iron-gates on both ends of the street. A watchman was there to keep watch throughout the night.

This incident seemed to be well-contemplated.

At Ram Nath’s instruction the driver accelerated the vehicle at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour with the same speed flew Ram Nath’s thoughts struggling hard to reach some logical conclusion.

Ram Nath smelt the hand of Mohan Lal’s sons but found it utterly indigestible that they would become blood-thirsty hounds for the family of their own uncle.

Mohan lal was no less than a father to Ved, his younger brother. He was only ten years older than Ved but a hundred times bigger in relationship.

Ved was only in his third standard when Mohan had joined civil Engineering trade in the most reputed Engineering College of Maya Nagar. At that time only a very chosen few could get admission in this college.

Immediately after getting his engineering degree, he got a job as Sub-Divisional Officer in P.W.D. department. He was posted at Bathinda which was a town galloping its way to progress during those days. Somewhere Thermal Power Plant was under construction and somewhere else it was fertilizer factory. Hotels and cinemas were coming up fast and Army cantonment was sprawling on another end of the town.

To facilitate traffic, the government was laying a network of roads and the Governental buildings were mushrooming here and there on the soil of Bathinda.

Mohan Lal hailed from a family earning its livelihood through manual work. Thus manual labour was no alien to him. Nature had been generous in endowing him with a sharp intellect. The rare combination of muscles and brains made his presence felt all around. He earned a reputation of completing every road, every building before the scheduled time.

Beside name, Mohan also earned plenty of wealth. Right from the labour contractor to the contractors of charcoal and cement, everybody had to dole out a specific commission to him. Gradually, he made friends with the contractor and entered into partnership with him, rather than accepting commission rom him.

In due recognition of his talent a well-known contractor of the city gave the hand of his daughter to him. Now he secured a strong foothold in Bathinda.

After consolidating his own position, Mohan Lal paid attention to his family. Ordinary house was replaced with a double storeyed mansion. He made his father leave the archaic Karyana shop and occupy a modern cloth show-room.

Mohan tried his best to see that Ved got good education and joined a promising line of profession like medicine or engineering. But Ved was interested more in sports than studies. Wrestling was his first love. He spent almost the whole day in taking exercises.

Had it been the modern times, Mohan would have purchased admission for him through the magic wand of donation. But those were the days when merit prevailed and this was the most elusive commodity for Ved.

As Ved passed B.A with kicks and starts, Mohan Lal talked to the President of Munciplal Committee and got him recruited as a clerk. He also got assurance from the President that as a post of Octroi or Tax Inspector fell vacant, Ved would be adjusted there.

Keeping in view the position and social status of Mohan Lal, Ram Nath’s father married his prettiest grand daughter to him.

Now Ved was contented from all sides and life seemed all joy to him.

After a stay of five years, when Mohan Lal’s officer was transferred to Patiala, he managed to get Mohan also transferred to Patiala. He gave a facelift to Patiala and filled his own coffers as well.

The officer was again transferred on promotion to Maya Nagar. Mohan Lal’s promotion was also due. He wanted the blessings of the boss for an unhindered promotion.

The officer at once acceded to his request Hard-working and loyal officers are becoming a rare species these days. Mohan Lal was endowed with both these qualities. Thus the boss got him transferred to Maya Nagar.

There were many hard working officers like Mohan Lal in Maya Nagar. They were not as loyal as they were manipulators.

Moahn Lal was lost in the crowd of officers. But who can stop a flowing river? Mohan Lal started exploring the possibilities of private business in Maya Nagar after giving a kick to the government job.

The conventional method of spreading char coal on the roads was turning unviable and work too was not up to the mark. Keeping in view all the pros and cons, the Government gave an assenting nod to spreading the carpet of mix-plant prepared material on the roads. Now Mohan Lal made up his mind to make use of his experience and within a few days he set up a mix-plant by making all those officers who could be useful in running the plant, his partners.

The material spread on roads was far less than what remained behind as surplus. The earning from surplus material exceeded that from the road-spread. The investment in the plant was recovered within a couple of years. By the time other traders could know the lucrative nature of this business, Mohan Lal had minted crores out of it.

As a result, he had purchased two brick kilns and a rice-sheller on the outskirts of city. Coal-brokerage was churning out plenteous money. Fine quality bricks were lifted by the traders of Maya Nagar while the half baked inferior quality was adjusted on public roads and buildings. Alongwith coal Mohan Lal also obtained tenders for supplying Charcoal to the Government. Seventy five percent of Charcoal was sold in Mathura itself while only twenty five percent reached Maya Nagar.

Money flowed in to the house of Mohan Lal incessantly and it became a problem for him to contain it somehow.

The friends asked him to conceal black money in real estate. In Maya Nagar, the price of plots was soaring to mind boggling rates like 50 lacs per plot. One lac worth white money camouflaged 49 lacs of black money.

There was maximum exploitation in this business. Leaving sale purchase of plots he started developing the colonies.

The landed property of the deceased and issueless people was available at throw away prices. The connivance with revenue and police authorities turned this land in to a gold mine.

The colony business proved useful in another way also. He started comeing into regular contact with the officers, usurers and traders. He was now in a position to absorb the black money of politicians. His circle of acquaintance widened a lot and there were no longer any obstacles in this work.

Alongwith his frients, the number of adversaries also increased. Sometimes there was an income tax raid and at others it was the crackdown by vigilance department. His assets were probed. Suits were filed against him.

He did not want to leave government job. He was a senior officer with a great reputation in the department. On the basis of his departmental status he could easily meet the officers, visit hotels and clubs.

Day in and day out, it was becoming difficult to carry on trade alongside the government job. The children were small as yet. Wife too, was not very clever. Maya Nagar had everything else but loyality. Nobody could be relied upon. The very persons whom Mohan Lal had made contactors from daily wagers had deserted him in the times of need. Whom should he rely on ? His wife had offered him a solution to this problem.

“Even our servants have become owners of kothis and factories. Why don’t you call Ved to the city ? If he earns a few bucks, they will remain in our family only. A brother is a big support after all. He will stand by us through thick and thin,” she said.

In the beginning Ved showed a little reluctance. He was going on well in his town and felt quite comfortable there. Also he had no lust for money.

But when Neelam heard of this offer, she was all agog. Maya Nagar was known as the Manchester of India. If the children are business minded they can become owners of crores. If at all they have to pursue higher education, they can become doctors or engineers at home. There was a university for other higher courses. The best doctors of North India lived in this very city. There were hotels and clubs for recreation. Also there were big show rooms for shopping.

Goaded by Neelam, Ved changed his mind. He was ready to do anything for the career of his children.

Ram Nath’s taxi was heading towards Maya Nagar. But Ram nath wanted to push back the chariot of time.

Had Ved not left his city and rejected Mohan Lal’s offer, he would not have seen this day. Who could ever think at that time that fraterenal Rama-Lakshmana love would be poisoned one day into Sugriva-Bali relations.

So long as business links remained between Mohan and Ved, nothing went awry. Whatever responsibility was entrusted by Mohan to Ved, he discharged it in all earnestness. He put his signatures blindly on any document put before him by Mohan. In lieu of this indubitable trust, Mohan gave him his share of profit without any hitch.

When Ved had shifted to Maya Nagar, his entire buggage was transported in a single four-wheeler. Now he had everything a middle class citizen could aspire for. He had a kothi in 500 sq. yard plot in a posh colony of the city besides two other plots in his name. He had his partnership in many firms owned by Mohan. Apart from this he had his independent business of property dealership. He sat in an air-conditioned office and traveled in an air-conditioned car. His wife had about one kilogram of gold. Both their children had heavy fixed deposits in their names. Due to his gentleness, Ved was held in high esteam in his business circle.

Neelam was a very noble lady who commanded respect in her neighborhood.

Both the families were leading a very comfortable life.

Ram Nath’s car entered civil lines area. As it was approaching near its destination, his heart beat was getting faster. Who knew what inauspicious message awaited them ahead ? Some seriously wounded member of the family, could succumb to the injuries. The droplets of perspiration appeared on Ram Nath’s forehead at the very idea of death. He felt a sort of dizziness and severe pain in his left arm. These were the symptoms of a heart-attack, a thought that made him all the more restless. Mohan Lal also had a heart attack, Ram Nath remembered. It was this very ailment which had created a split between both the families. He had his first heart attack ten years back at the age of fifty. By undergoing bye-pass surgery, he had not only recovered fully but started feeling more energetic than before.

For full one year, Mohan Lal followed the instructions of the doctors, kept going for long walks and restricted his food habits.

The circle of his friends kept expanding with the expansion of his business. To strengthen his business links, he had to visit hotels and clubs.

Mohan was not the only one to have gone through bye pass surgery. Here, more than fifty percent of the business people moved with the ripped chests. Nobody cared much for the medical advice. Mental tension could not be dispelled without a few daily drinks. They preferred a `eat-drink and be merry' style of living to remaining famished.

Going by this philosophy, he started taking one peg at first, then two and finally reached three-pegs a day routine.

Mohan Lal’s age and business were increasing side by side.

On the other hand business-Judaism was also increasing. Sometimes even a close associate would play foul with him. When resented, he would say, “everything is fair in business.”

Due to pulls and pressures of business, Mohan Lal fell a prey to mental tension. He became a patient of diabetes followed by fluctuation of blood pressure.

The doctor cautioned danger. Advised all kinds of abstention. His blood was thickening. And the thickness of blood was affecting the functioning of his heart. Another surgical operation was not advisable. And just one more heart attack could turn fatal.

Despite all medical warnings, there was another attack.

This attack had no immediate effect on Mohan Lal. But Ram Nath felt its severe and irrevocable impact on Ved’s family now.

After the second attack the doctors confined Mohan lal completely to his bed. Now it was time to get rid of all kinds of mental tension. It in turn, required complete disengagement from business.

Mohan Lal had an intuition about his frail condition. Any day could turn into his last day.

He had made a great blunder by ignoring his health. Really world had become too much with him, he realized. Once recovered, he would never repeat the same mistake. Now the situation was changed. The palatial Kothis, cars, factories, gold and silver, everything was there. But nothing could restore his health. Enough is enough, he thought.

The boys are capable to handle the business affairs now.

Pankaj had returned from America after passing MBA. The younger Neeraj had qualified in Mechanical Engineering from Roorkee. Both were sufficiently qualified.

Mohan had earned much, but through an untiring struggle. He had stood on roadside for hours together, swallowing the dust flying all around. He had even damaged his lungs by inhaling the smoke of the boiling charcoal. He frequented a number of offices and played obsequious to the officers. All this formed a part of his job and business.

Mohan did not want his children to face the rough and tumble of life like him. He wanted to bequeath them some heavy industry.

His friends advised him to invest in iron industry. Due to spurt in this business iron mills were turning iron in to gold. This advice touched Mohan’s heart and he started dreaming of an iron mill.

A two-acre plot with high walls raised on four sides. A big iron-plant installed in the middle of it. On one side an air-conditioned office. On the other a range of servants quarters. Four-gates, with a sentry deployed on each gate. Luxury- cars, unending wealth. Salutes from all sides.

After giving a serious thought to the realisation of this dream for a few days, Mohan Lal announced installation of iron-mill. Heavy industry. Better dump all black money at one point.

Ved was least interested in poking his head in an encumbrance worth crores. The price of bare plot for the mill amounted to fifty lacs. Two crores for machinery. Crores to be invested from their own sources. Loan running into several crores was to be taken from the government. Ved was as good as an illiterate for such a complicated type of business.

Once again Neelam succeeded in prevailing upon him.

Ved had agreed to her but he could hear the fore-bodings of some impending danger from within himself. Some voice of sanity seemed to warn him that partnership with the elder brother was okay but he would not be able to pull on with the nephews. They were well-qualified. Business was quite new to him. How will he grapple with them ? It was beyond his understanding indeed.

Going towards Deep Nagar, Ram Nath could realize well the foresight or forsightedness of Ved today. He was absolutely right. Had he been gutsy enough to withstand Neelam, he would not have faced such a grim situation today.

Ved could never understand this business Mohan had invested all his capital into this business. Following him in a blindfolded manner, Ved also handed over to him whatever he had. Ved knew nothing else as to wherefrom the money came and where it was spent. From where the loan was taken ? what and how much property was hypothecated ? Like a loyal soldier he kept putting on his signatures wherever he was asked to.

But there was something else in store for Mohan Lal.

There was a change of regime at the center. The new government fell heavy on industrial sector. Loan-conditions became more stringent, subsidies were cut down considerably. Tax-rebates were abolished. The export-import conditions were relaxed. The imported items proved economical. The cost of power and raw-material increased. All outlets of chicanery were blocked.

The sanction for the installation of mill was getting unviably delayed. The expenses were soaring day in and day out. The budget started staggering.

On the other hand Mohan’s ailment became more serious. Both Pankaj and Neeraj had to shuttle between the factory and Delhi very frequently.

Lacs of rupees had been spent in documentation and greasing the relevant palms. The instalments of the plot had been paid off. Advance amount had been sent for the purchase of machinery. So there was no going back now at this stage.

The specialists in the business line advised Mohan Lal’s sons to start the mill somehow. The situation can turn favorable any time. The competition had become very tough and the weaker units were liable to fall off their feet in this cut throat competition. The remaining units were again likely to prevail upon their business.

These circumstances of uncertainty delayed the functioning of mill for two years.

On one hand there was an increase in the cost of machinery and on the other instalments of loan were blocked. The loan had to be advanced in accordance with the progress of the mill. The establishment expenses made the economic burden still heavier.

Mohan Lal could no longer move about now. Keeping in view his adverse health conditions, the loss caused by the mill was concealed from him.

But how long could cat be hidden in the bag. The mill project was losing fast its viability with every passing day and had turned into a dragon devouring all that they had with its hunger still unsatisfied.

At last the bitter pill had to be swallowed. The construction of the mill was stalled and it was put on sale.

Most of the capital reserves of both the families had been sapped by this mill. Every thing had passed through the hands of Pankaj and Neeraj. They were conversant with all the intricacies of loss incurred in the whole process. Ved had faith in his nephews. So he bore all this with a stoic patience.

But Neelam failed to understand the magnitude of this crushing loss. She could trust Mohan Lal, of course, but how could the nephews brought up in a materialistic environment of Maya Nagar be trusted at all. She could not trust them blindly.

One of Neelam’s remote nephews had his mill at Mandi Gobindgarh which was running profitably. Just recently he had met her in some marriage and talked on this issue.

Ved tried to persuade Neelam saying that the Gobindgarh mill was an old establishment with an investment on old rates. They must therefore, be going comfortably on the basis of their well-established goodwill.

But Neelam was not ready to fall in line with him. She kept forcing him all the time to go and talk to his nephews on this account. At least she should know what was the cause of this colossal deficit and then sit in peace. Ved on his side had neither courage to talk to the boys over this issue nor he did.

Fed up with the obstinacy of her husband and loss in the business, Neelam started blurting out her ire in her characteristic feminine way.

First she expressed her bitterness against the deceitfulness of the nephews to her distant relatives and then to those in the close friendly circle. The feminine talk took wings and travelled to Mohan Lal. To cover up the ingenuity of his brother, he tried to ignore the whole thing saying that it was the mischievous attempt of some malicious element to create a wedge between them.

But when this affair reached the in-laws of Pankaj and through them to Pankaj himself then it got out of Mohan Lal’s orbit.

It let to an eerie whisper in the family. Mohan Lal tried to persuade everybody. But the boys became ada-mant.

“ Let there be a get-together. Settle accounts and snap all partnership with them,” they fumed and frothed.

Neelam’s jabber and the decision of Mohan's sons took his mental tension to its climax. First his diabetic ;level increased, then the heart throb followed by the third massive heart attack which silenced his heart beat for ever.

“Children, time and place of death is always pre-destined. Allother things are petty excuses. There is nobody to blame in it,” the family elders, priests and some other saintly acquaintances tried their best to console them with suchlike words. But they could not help laying the blame of their father’s untimely death on Ved’s family.

The loss in mill-enterprise, accusations leveled against them and the untimely death of their father were the reasons potent enough to poison their hearts.

“How to humble the family of Ved Chacha,” was the only issue that pre-occupied their minds all the time these days.

On the occasion of Mohan Lal’s Bhog ceremony accounts were presented in the presence of relatives. Earlier, there was no bungling on the part of the brother duo. Then the accounts were maneuvered in a way that showed the loss doubled than the actual one. Earlier, nobody ever talked of sharing the loss. Now every pie was taken in to account.

Ved had a share of 20 lacs in the mill. Now another five lacs were shown outstanding against him. Its payment was demanded within three months.

During the days of his illness, Mohan Lal familiarized both his sons with each and every detail of his business and property. There was a long list of such Benami estates which were actually owned by Mohan Lal but they were in the name of Ved in revenue-records.

This give and take ceremony concluded peacefully except a few heated exchanges. At one or two points the mediators had to settle the issue through their intervention when the issue of a one thousand square-yard plot allotted by improvement trust in the posh-colony of Gurdev Nagar could not be solved in anyway, it led to a mutual exchange of profanities and even threats to kill and eviction.

Ved said that he had got this plot allotted on his own and paid the whole amount from his personal account. The trust chairman was a good friend of Mohan Lal and it was in due deference to his friendship that he had deceitedly managed the draw of plot in favour of Ved. But Mohan had no intention to have his share in the plot.

Pankaj claimed his father’s right on the plot contending that the rate of plot was seven thousand rupees per square yard in the colony at that time and the plot was allotted at the rate of seven hundred rupees per square yard. Ved was known as a munshi (clerk) in those days. The chairman was not mad enough to allot a 70. lac costing plot in the name of worker. As such, it belonged to their father and they had a claim over it.

Anyway, as gesture of obligation towards his late brother, Ved agreed to forgo his claim on half of the plot. Leaving whole of it would have thrown his dreams to the winds. This was his security. He planned to build a kothi in the half portion of this plot while the remaining half was to be sold for ;marrying off his daughter Neha in a befitting manner.

Ved called Ram Nath and showed him the documents for seeking legal opinion.

Law stood by Ved’s side. Eight years had elapsed after the allotment. Right from filing application for allotment to its registration, it had been in his name. All its instalments had been deposited through cheque by him. No court in the country could question Ved’s claim over the plot.

Today Ram Nath was repentant over his legal opinion. He should better have intervened and settled the whole issue through mutual give and take. All other disputes had already settled. Living apart, nobody would have anything against each other.

In utter exasperation, Pankaj filed a suit in the court. From time to time he would issue threats also.

“ I have to take this plot by all means. By crook, if not by hook.”

Ram Nath’s experience inferred that this gory incident of plunder formed a part of Pankaj’s design to take the plot by crook.

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EPISODE-2

Neelam’s Kothi was situated in street No.4 of Deep Nagar.

As Ram Nath’s car reached the street curve, a police-vehicle with red-light dancing atop and spreading sensation with the sound of its hooter passed by. It was carrying a senior police officer, not below the rank of senior superintendent of police or even a DIG. Such high ranking Police Officer come to investigate murder cases only.

Ram Nath became apprehensive from within. Some misfortune had definitely struck the family ! He somehow controlled the emotional upsurge rising within his heart but he could not help heaving a deep sigh.

"O God have mercy on us"! He prayed and hurried to reach the site of incident.

The whole street was flooded with people. Some of them flurried here and there while some others were gossiping in small groups.

Two-three police vehicles had cordoned the ill-fated kothi altogether.

Ram Nath got his vehicle parked at a distance Ram Nath and Sangeeta tried to steel their hearts for listening to the worst possible news and headed fast towards the Kothi.

Some of the neighbours who knew Ram Nath came near him.

“It’s really unfortunate, Vakil Sahib,” said the neighbor who had telephoned Ram Nath.

“ Is there Okay otherwise ?” more than the material loss caused by the plunderers, Ram was worried over the possibility of a loss of life. “Others are Okay, but Kamal…………”, the neighbour clung to Ram Nath’s shoulder and burst into tears as if his own son had been murdered.

“What about others ? Are they alive ?,” asked Ram Nath as if to be contented over the lesser disaster.

“ Yes, they are well, but in the hospital,” replied another neighbour, gripping Ram nath’s hand and consoling him at the same time,

Police was checking the site. To ensure that no proofs are tampered with, nobody from outside was allowed to enter the house.

Like others Ram Nath stopped at the main gate of the Kothi.

One of the neighbours, informed the constable guarding the gate about Ram Nath saying that he was an advocate and Ved’s brother-in-law. The police-inspector was already waiting for him.

So the constable took him to the inspector sitting inside.

Sangeeta was stopped out side. The scene inside was horrifying. That is why women could not be allowed to get in.

The trail of blood stains had reached the main gate. As Ram Nath proceeded, the size and number of the stains was increasing. Near the door of the lobby, a pool of blood presented a spetacle of blood bath in the literal sense of the term.

The scene inside the lobby was rather more horrendous.

The furniture lay scattered all around. The broken showpieces seemed to be narrating their woeful tale.

The glass-top of the central table had turned into a clutter of splinters. The contents of almirahs and chests lay strewn everywhere. The household material was not only looted but maniacally destroyed also.

The most blood-curdling scene awaited him near the door of Neha’s bedroom where Kamal’s dead body lay soaked in blood.

Kamal’s face was smashed like a pumpkin. With the eyes bulging out, mouth agape, hair drenched with blood, the dead body presented a ghastly sight. The abdomenal stabs had brought out a bunch of his intestines. His vest was torn and night-suit was crimsoned with blood.

The Police had arrived just now. first of it’s the police superintendent checked on the spot and ordered not to make an iota of change in the scene. He had the entire gory view photographed and videographed in his own presence. Forensic experts were yet to reach the scene and gather evidences. The Superintendent had left now and the remaining action had to be initiated by the Station House Officer (SHO) concerned.

He had asked for a piece of cloth from the neighbours to cover the dead body. But since none of them came forward, the corpse had to be kept uncovered. The Inspector realized his mistake at the arrival of Ram Nath. He then himself took a bed-sheet from Kamal’s bed-room and covered his dead body.

Ram Nath was watching everything like a mute spectator. His sensory organs seemed to have failed: as if they had lost all contact with the brain. That is why he was watching such a horrible scene with utmost ease. There was visibly no reaction on his face. Also he was conscious of his prevailing state of mind but still he remained as unmoved as a stone. Perhaps a kind of mental inertia had gripped him for the time being.

The cops were trying to collect the clues left behind by the culprits. Someone was looking for finger prints, some other was searching the weapons used in the criminal incident. A dog-squad led by uniformed men was trying to track down the culprits by following their foot prints.

“Very bad and very unfortunate, Vakil Sahib,” said the investigating Inspector as he came close to Ram Nath for expressing his sympathics.

“How did all this take place ? for the first time some words escaped the lips of Ram Nath as some tears rolled down his cheeks.

“This seems to have been done by the Kala Kachha gangsters. They are active in this area these days. The modus operandi is the same. You tell us if you doubt some one.”

After a few words of sympathy, the SHO jumped on the real issue.

The incident was gruesome. There was a murder, two persons were seriously injured while a young girl had been raped. The inventory of looted material was very long. No clue of the accused was coming in sight. It was a blind case and the SHO was sure to face a tough time in registering the case. The press people were unusually keen to collect information and file their stories. On the other hand the officers were exerting their pressure as they were supposed to report the whole affair to the Chief-Minister.

The dead body had to be post mortemed. Injury-reports had to be obtained from the doctors. The rape victim’s statement was to be recorded provided she regained her consciousness. There were many things to do. The Inspector did not have much time to waste in expressing sympathies.

“You should have better asked my sister and her husband. Only they can tell something.”

Ram Nath’s needle of suspicion pointed to Pankaj and his associates. But he could not name anybody without first consulting his sister and brother-in-law.

“They are lying in the hospital. They are seriously injured. The doctor must have given them an injection of anesthesia by now. We’ll take sometime in our inquiries. You go and consult them in the hospital. We’ll register the case as you tell us.”

The preliminary inquiry made by the Inspector had shown this incident as perpetrated by Kala Kachha gang. The looters were to be booked under the charges of dacoity and murder during a bid to commit dacoity.

Since Ram Nath himself was a lawyer the Inspector indicated the subject of the case and the sections to be invoked. Now it was for Ram Nath to capture him.

Ram Nath could say nothing without meeting the members of the family.

Moreover, looking after the injured was more important than pursuing the case. For the time being Sangeeta had no role to play here.

Accompanied by Sangeeta and a neighbour Ram Nath left for the hospital.

On the way, the neighbour started telling them the incident in detail.

He and Ved used to go for a morning walk daily at four. If Ved woke-up first, he would ring the bell at Jai Narain’s door, other wise Jai Narain would come and awaken Ved.

Today when, till four, thirty nothing was heard from Ved, he reached his house and pressed the button of call-bell. But bell did not ring at all. Light was on. Then why did not the bell ring ? May be it has gone out of order, he thought.

Till 10 last night they were together and there was no chance of Ved’s going outside “He glanced at the latch behind the iron-gate. But the gate was not latch-locked at all. So he pushed open the door and went inside. May be Ved was in the bath-room and therefore not responding. A few steps ahead, Jai Narian saw some blood stains. Still it did not occur to him that such a tragic incident had taken place. But when in the porch he saw blood puddle, he was taken aback. He immediately came out into the street and screamed aloud.

There was a flurried commotion in the street. The Police control-room was contacted on telephone. When no policeman appeared on the spot even half an hour after the phone call was made, some of the neighbours rushed to the Police Station.

It was early in the morning. There was nobody in the Police Station except the Sentry and the Munshi. Someone was brushing his teeth and someone was easing himself in the toilets. This incident of rape and repine, it seemed, meant all for the neighbours and little for the Police. The constables were awakened by visiting their quarters personally and Thanedars were called by making repeated phone calls.

The police reached the spot two hours after they were informed. No neighbour had dared enter the looted house out of scare. They accompanied the cops in to the house. Kamal’s body had already said adieu to its soul and was cooled by the icy hand of death. The other three were unconscious. Blood had profusely drained out of Kamal’s body. Nobody knew when the incident had taken place. May be, the timely arrival of Police would have saved him.

The Police took the injured to the hospital in an ambulance. Four neighbours accompanied them for their look after.

Jai Narain rang up at Mohan Lal’s house. The boys had gone out of station, he was told.

All the members of the family had been injured. Many important decisions had to be taken. Case was to be registered, to which hospital should the injured be admitted these were the issues which were to be decided by some one from the family only. By chance, Jai Narain came by a visiting card of Ram Nath. This is how he rang him up and informed him about the whole thing.

However, Mohan Lal’s manager had come alongwith Maya Devi. He had met the Police Inspector and had a talk with him. Perhaps his palm was greased.

Maya Devi could not bear this horrific scene and felt her heart sinking. The neighbours sent her back.

It was good that Ram Nath had come. He was a lawyer. So he was capable enough to handle the whole affair.

LESSION NO.3

Some hospitals of Maya Nagar had a reputation of being among the best hospitals of North India. Ram Nath had come to these hospitals several times to call on some of his friends or relatives.

But this was the first time that he had come to the civil hospital.

Law valued the opinion of civil hospital doctors more than that of the private practitioners on the assumption that the Government employees do not tell a lie. It was under this compulsive situation that those injured in disputes or accidents had to be admitted in the civil hospitals run by the Government where the doctors examined the wounds of the injured. Then a detailed report of injuries was prepared and submitted to the Police which shaped the whole case on the basis of medico legal report.

It was just to fulfil this legal ritual that Ved and his family members were admitted to the Civil hospital. Ram Nath was eager to know the condition of his relatives as he was to take them away from this hospital.

The general wards of the hospital were to open at eight in the morning. The emergency ward remained functional round the clock. Ved, Neelam and Neha were brought to the hospital at about seven. Even if they were brought here after eight, they would have to be admitted first to the emergency ward only. The doctors on emergency duty were to examine the injuries, prepare a report to this effect and send the patients to the wards concerned.

Being a lawyer, Ram Nath had a lot of experience into the working of Civil hospitals. That is why he signalled the driver to park the vehicle right in-front of the emergency ward.

Some of Ved’s neighbours were standing outside the emergency ward. One of them who recognized Ram Nath, hurried to him alongwith some other neighbours.

Within no time Ram Nath and Sangeeta were surrounded by the neighbours.

“How is my sister, my brother-in-law ? And how is Neha ? asked Ram Nath fearing within lest some misfortune should have be fallen here.

“ All are Okay. Nothing to worry about much” A neighbour consoled him in a way.

“Behanji must be shifted to some other hospital. She has head injury and there is no neuro-doctor here,” said one of the neighbouring ladies who had been sitting by the Neelam’s side till now.

“Where are they all ?”

“Neha was well-she’s been sent to the ladie's ward. Ved had injuries on his legs and arms. He’s been sent to the ortho ward. Behan ji is here. “She pointed to closed door of the emergency ward.

“Just wait, Babu ji, who are you,” the ward boy who seemed to have appeared from the thin air said as he saw Ram Nath entering the ward by pushing open the door.

“I’m the brother of the patient. Ram nath advocate.” The ward boy mellowed a little at the word ‘advocate’ but he was not ready to relent so easily.

“Entry is not allowed without permission. See the doctor first.”

Laying special stress on the word ‘see’, the class-four official advised him to meet the doctor.

Ram Nath followed the hint. He was a lawyer of criminal cases. He had to pay frequent visits to the civil hospital for protecting the interests of his clients. The desirable injury report could be got prepared by ‘seeing’ the doctor. That was the basic purpose of his visits. If he were to fight the case in favour of the respondents, he would manage to reduce the size and gravity of the injuries. But since he was to fight for the plaintiff, he would get the stick injuries turned into those of the axe. This was what the ward boy was hinting at.

“I’ll see the doctor of course. Let me meet the partient first.”

Ram Nath took Sangeeta along by her arm and bothering little about the ward boy he pushed open the door and went inside.

There was a long wooden table in the room with a length enough to accommodate a normal person. It was covered with a worn out plastic sheet dirtied by numbers of old and new blood stains. Lying on that table, Neelam was writhing with pain.

Her head was bandaged with blood oozing out of the cotton pressed under the bandage. Blood was congealed on her chin, neck and near the ears. Her clothes were besmeared with blood. Due to head injury she had intermittent convulsions and at times she had a sort of epileptic fit. She would start frothing at her month as her limbs twisted and eyes bulged out. A bold lady neighbour was lying to control the squirming body of Neelam.

“I’m Neelam’s brother. What says the doctor ?” Ram Nath introduced himself and enquired about the well-being of his sister from the neighbouring lady.

Now Sangeeta started taking care of Neelam.

Feeling a bit relieved with the presence of Sangeeta, the neighbours whispered to Ram Nath “ Nobody has done anything so far. A scavenger looking man had come. He cut the hair, wiped the blood and dressed the wound,” First, doctor will count and measure the injuries. Then will start the treatment,” he said.”

“Please do something brother, otherwise she will die here, “ She suggested.

Perhaps the ward-boy had informed the doctor outside about the arrival of Advocate Ram Nath. He arrived there with his First Aid box.

Unwinding the bandage from Neelam’s head, he started telling Ram Nath about the patient’s condition", She had head-injury. The gash is deep. I’m referring the case. You please shift her to some good hospital.”

“What treatment have you given her here?” asked Ram Nath, looking at his watch.

It was nine by his watch. By looking at the watch he wanted to make the doctor realize that even after lapse of two hours, he had done nothing.

“First aid has been given. In fact a coolie had his arm cut under the train. That is why it took us a little long. Does n’t matter. You can take away the patient if you like. Formalities will be looked after later on. You are a lawyer. I have all sympathies for you.”

Ram Nath could well understand that the doctor had no sympathy either for the patient or the lawyer. His prime concern was his job only. He had left the patient dangling between life and death at the mercy of God for two hours together. He had come to realize his mistake only at the arrival of Ram Nath. In a bid to avoid a tiff with an advocate, he was trying to placate him with sweet words.

Ram Nath could do nothing but swallow the bitter pill.

“Please give her medical aid just to help her reach Daya Nand Hospital. Rest, I’ll see myself.”

To mollify Ram Nath, the doctor started filling his syringe with the medicine.

Leaving Sangeeta with Neelam, Ram Nath pushed off to see the other two patients.

Female ward came first on the way to orthopaedics ward. He turned to that side.

The female ward gave a deserted look. Out of total twenty wards, eighteen were un-occupied. On one bed was lying Neha and another was occupied by a poor migrant labour woman from Bihar. A migrant worker, who was there to look after the woman, was smoking a Bidi. He was welcomed in the ward by the unpleasant smoke of the Bidi.

Pallavi, a friend of Neha was sitting on a stool lying close by her. Seeing Ram Nath advancing towards Neha she understood that he was someone close to the patient. She got up as a mark of respect.

“How is Neha ?”

To get maximum information within minimum time Ram Nath asked Pallavi and on the other hand started assessing the situation from Neha’s uncovered face.

Except face, the whole body of Neha was covered with a green sheet. Although the entire body was still due to anaesthetic effect yet her agony could be read easily from her face. Her forehead reflected anger and abhorrence. She had the bloody marks of oral bites on both the cheeks. Blood was exuding also from the abrasions made with nails on her chin and neck. The eyes were swollen with the flood of tears unleashed by them. The earrings were forcibly puilled off the ears. This is what the bleeding ring holes of ears revealed.

“There’s nothing to worry about uncle. Neha is unconscious with an injection given to her. But no doctor has come here as yet. She felt pain in her stomach and………….Blood is oozing. Her clothes are dirtied all over. I had managed to get a suit from my house for her. But nurse would not allow a change. Says, doctor has to take the worn clothes in her custody. Even the wounds are not dressed. Says, the doctor will see them first".

Whatever Pallavi knew she told Ram Nath in partly explicit and partly implicit manner.

Ram Nath grasped everything. Neha was raped. He caught his head in utter exasperation for a moment.

“She speaks, otherwise ?”

“Yes, she does, I’ve been here for about an hour. Earlier she mumbled at short intervals says,’ they have killed Kamal. He martyred himself, saving my modesty. I’m deflowered. Poison me also to death.”

“ Who did all this, did she say something ?”

“No. I’d asked, but she said nothing. Perhaps they were some unknown people.”

“ Why has not the lady doctor come ?”

“ A gentle-looking Babu had come said,’I’m the cycle stand contractor. The doctor will come at ten to have a round. Tell me if she’s to be called earlier. He asked whether none from Neha’s relation to had come.” If some one comes ask him to meet me. The patient’s report has to be made. What type of report do you want ?” he asked.

"If anybody comes I’ let him see you. I said. Meet that man brother and call the doctor. Throw some bucks in her face. Just see how the poor thing is lying here like a withered flower,” a neighbour woman who had been with Neha a little earlier explained the reason for doctor’s absence.

“Uncle, I’d asked the nurse about this attitude of the doctor. She said; the doctor is daughter-in-law to one of the ministers. She need not fear anybody. She’ll come only when she likes; Please do something uncle and save my friend".

The tears welled up in her eyes as Pallavi shared her experience with Ram Nath.

“That is why the ward looks desolate” thought Ram Nath. He found it hard how to bring the doctor in. The situation was so grim that he could not altercate with anybody. Nobody could be complained against. The real purpose of law was at stake. The patient was being deprived of treatment in the name of law.

The wounds of the patient were festering and bleeding. The clothes were dirty. There could be acute infection with the dust particles settling on the open wounds. Under the pretext of injury report the patient was being propelled to death.

Ram Nath assessed the situation. He could not see any of the close relatives around. He had delivered the message telephonically at several places so that some one should come and share his responsibility. He thought himself all alone in this mind-boggling situation.

With the arrival of Ram Nath , the neighbours felt unburdened and started dispersing one by one. Someone had to attend office, some other had to open his shop while still another had to get a bus in time, someone’s kids were getting late for school.

Ram Nath wanted to assess the actual condition of Neha. The traditional flimsy veil of shame between uncle and niece had lost all substance now. Therefore setting aside the tradition governing such like social relations, Ram Nath removed slowly the sheet covering Neha’s molested self. He wanted to have first hand assessment of Neha’s body.

The clothes of Neha were badly torn and her arms, breasts and belly bore the marks of barbarity exhibited by the rapist. Similar was the condition of her legs and thighs.

Ram Nath felt each and every limb of the victim by touching and tossing it. Thank god ! the limbs were undamaged.

Neha’s damage was more psychological than physical. Feeling a bit relieved at heart, Ram Nath was gripped with anxiety for Ved.

“I’ll do something. Coming back with in five minutes”, saying so, Ram Nath patted Pallavi’s head in a blessing gesture and left for orthopaedics ward.

It was five-six hours after the injuries but the doctors had not bothered even to touch the patients so far. This neglect on the part of doctors was going to turn more fatal than the savagery of the culprits.

But what could Ram Nath do ?

For a moment his mind conjured the image of the cycle stand contractor as some one with a heavy paunch, a stubbed beared, dark complexioned, wearing a soiled kurta-pajama and a checkered cloth on his shoulder. He must be like any other tout seen most often in the civil hospitals. He must have treated Neha’s case just like any other rape case and at present he must be busy in managing the doctor’s fees.

But this was a peculiar case. One of its own kind. The actual case was that of burglary and dacoity. In suchlike cases the accused are generally never apprehended. Even if they are nabbed at all, it is only after a year or so. By that time, it becomes so late that all evidences are finished and the blind folded law acquits them under benefit of doubt.

This case, too, was to meet the same end Ram Nath could see numerous loopholes in the case even at this stage. After some time, the police was to make haste. Get the case registered. The law demanded meticulous registration of each and every detail of the incident: the names, address and appearance of the accused. Which assailant used what type of weapon, where did he hit the victim or victims with that weapon etc. everything should be given in minutest detail. Any discrepancy or missing link would render the whole story suspicious. This is what would give the accused a benefit of doubt.

Among the four person present on the site of mishap one had passed away while the others lay unconscious. Who will describe the number and appearance of the culprits and the sequence of events ?

This crime was not committed by just ordinary people. They seemed to be hardcore criminals and well-aware of legal points. They must have come well masked, with gloved hands and scented bodies. They must have overpowered Ved and his family members during their sleep. Probably nobody had the chance to understand what disaster had befallen them. No member of the family would be able to recognize them. The accused will again avail the benefit of doubt.

Then why let the doctors fleece us for nothing.

Brooding over this issue, Ram Nath knew not when he reached the ortho ward.

This ward gave an absolutely desolate look. There was not even a single patient there.

Ram Nath’s palpitation increased when he did not see Ved in the ward. ‘May be he, too, has……….’ The very thought of death made him shudder to the bones.

"You want to see Ved Ji ? Come with me, please. He’s in the X-ray department," said a sober-looking man. This gentleman was stranger to both Jai Naryan and Ram Nath. He was none of Ved’s neighbours nor was he any of the relations.

“How is Ved?” Ram Nath directed his eagerness towards the stranger.

“ He’s completely out of danger. Legs and arms are fractured. He has to be X-rayed.”

Ram Nath had a sigh of relief at these comforting wards.

“And You ?” Jai Naryan asked the gentleman.

“ I’m Sohan Lal, the contractor,” the gentleman introduced himself and his occupation by touching his chest with his right hand which displayed three gold rings on its fingers.

It took no time for Jai Narayan and Ram Nath to understand the whole thing.

“ Why is this ward looking deserted ?” Jai Narayan asked the contractor just to pass time.

"The doctor of this ward is promoted. This is the most important ward of the hospital. The people with their bones broken in the disputes, come to this ward. Doctors peel off money from both the sides. Many doctors are madly vying with each other for posting in this ward. One goes to the authorities and comes back with the posting orders. Then another goes with a heavier brief case and obtains his posting by getting the earlier orders cancelled. There have been five transfers in two months. That is how the post is lying vacant. What have the patients to do here if there is no doctor at all ?"

“ Then who will look after our patient. ”

“ None. Get him X-rayed and get report as you desire. Then shift to whatever better hospital you like”.

Apprising them with the realistic situation of the hospital, the contractor took them to the X-ray department.

The X-ray department was bustling with the patients.

An eight-year-old girl had got her leg fractured while she was trying to learn cycling. She was crying with pain. Her parents were trying to console her.

A worker’s shoulder bone had broken when he fell from a height due to displacement of shuttering during the construction of a factory building. Some union leaders had brought him to the hospital. They had to sue the employer in the court after obtaining report from the hospital.

Ved was the first in the turn. He had reached there first of all and his injuries were more grievous. He was accompanied by a Policeman who had been sent to get the patients examined.

Ved was lying unconscious on the stretcher. He was surrounded by a few persons. Who were they ? And what were they doing ? To quell his curiosity Ram Nath headed fast towards Ved.

Ram Nath felt comforted as he saw Sardari Lal his brother-in-law (Sister’s husband) standing near Ved. He found his strength multiplied manifold in his company. Sardari Lal also had with him Dr. Dev, his friend. Dr. Dev was checking up Ved.

After completing his check-up. Dr. Dev took Ram Nath and Sardari Lal, aside.

Ved had multiple fractures on both his arms and legs. A plaster alone would be of no help. Rods had to be put in. One of the jawbones also looked fractured. The real position of that bone could be ascertained only after scanning. There was no risk to life but he required immediate care.

Sardari Lal had come to know the reason for the absence of the radiologist. He had his own X-ray clinic outside Dayanand Hospital. It was being run in the name of his wife. He had the routine of visiting the hospital for one or two hours only. When a crowd of patients gathered around twelve, he x-rayed one or two patients only and that too after charging his fees in a sly manner. For the rest of the patients the stock excuse was that the films were out of stock. The helpless patients went back disappointed.

Today, he had gone for an evidence in the court. Nobody knew when he was to turn up after the evidence. Sometimes it was not made up to four O’ clock in the afternoon. In that case, the pharmacists had to apologise to the patients.

Ram Nath was angered at this excuse of the doctor. He was telling a white lie. The doctors come to the court at eleven or half past eleven. The judges gave them priority. Their evidence was taken by stalling all other activity. Their evidence was taken by stalling all other activity just to ensure that the patients do not have to face any harassment. And this stupid doctor was running his clinic under the pretext of court evidence.

“Now what should we do ? Wait for the doctor or go somewhere else ? what says the legal angle ?

Sardari Lal threw the whole responsibility on Ram Nath’s shoulders.

“You tell me, what’s the problem. May I call the doctor, if you say ? I do have his mobile phone numbers.”

The contractor tried to take advantage of the situation as he saw the attendants of the patient caught in a dilemma.

“ But you say he has gone for a court evidence ?” “Oh ! leave it. He will himself request the court on the plea that some emergency case has arrived in the hospital".

The contractor took out his mobile phone from his pocket and waited for their green signal.

“Call him then. What are you waiting for,” Dr. Dev said.

“First, settle the fee. Shell out some advance money. Only then the doctor will come.”

“Just wait for a minute,” said the doctor and took aside Ram Nath and Sardari Lal.

“The more we delay here, the higher will go the risk to the life of our patients. To my mind we should shift them immediately from here. But what does your law say in this regard ? It’s for you to see now,” Dr. Dev opined from medical perspective.

“There is hardly any hope of success in this case. Damn the law and the accused ! We should try to save our patients only.”

This was the legal opinion.

“Okay then. Get them discharged and move. There is no time to think much,” Dr. Dev decided at once.

Meanwhile a Hawaldar brought message from the Kothi. The police Superintendent had visited the house twice. Some minister was to visit the site now. It necessitated the registration of case before his arrival. The press-reporters and cameramen of TV channels were jostling against each other to get their news stories and file them in time. The minister had called a press-conference. He had to make some announcements on this occasion. All this was stalled in the absence of case-registration. So Ram Nath should reach the site and Cooperate with the Police in the fulfilment of legal formalities.

Ram Nath could understand the compulsions of Police. He bothered little for the media or the minister. What worried him most was the neglected dead body of Kamal. It had to be postmortemed before being taken to the crematorium. And the registration of case was a must before postmortem. Case could be registered only if Ram Nath could tell anything about the accused. What had he to put in the case ?

Neeelam and Ved were yet to take a few days to regain consciousness. It was only Neha who could offer some substantial information regarding the incident. Anaethesia was gradually losing its grip on her and after an hour or so she would be in a position to speak.

You stay in the hospital. Take Neha home after proper dressing and get Police formalities completed. Also look after Kamal’s postmortem and his cremation thereafter. We’ll take both the patients to Daya Nand Hospital.” Sardari Lal aptly advised.

“All right,” said Ram Nath and started rummaging his pocket for money.

Neelam was his sister and Ved, Dher husband. His brother-in-law. He had the same relation with Sardari Lal. As per the social propriety, it was Ram Nath’s duty to bear the expenditure on such an occasion. With a view to discharging this very responsibility, he was taking out money from his pocket.

“Jija ji, please keep this amount. Get both of them admitted. In the meantime Mangat will come. I’ve come along with whatever was lying at home.

Offering a packet of ten thousand rupees to Sardari Lal, Ram Nath, in a way justified the paucity of money as if he was in the dock.

“Don’t fall in any formality, Ram Nath ! I’ve come with enough money. You only tackle the situation at hand. Rest everything will be taken care of later on, saying so, Sardari Lal Showed him bag full of currency notes and returned his money in all humility.

They walked together up to the female ward.

From there Sardari Lal and Dr. Dev turned towards the emergency ward, while Ram Nath steered his steps to the female ward.

LESSON-4

The doctor on emergency duty had gauged the gravity of the situation.

It was 11 O’clock. The patients had not so far been given even the first aid.

The attendants of the patients had started reaching the hospital. One of them was a lawyer while another was a doctor. They were sore over the callous outlook of the doctors. Nobody had any cogent reply to their queries.

The journalists were hovering around like kites. Some of them had taken away snaps of the injured. Others were pressing hard on the doctors to know the latest condition of the victims ? whether there was any risk to their life or they were out of danger.

By way of routine fraternal sympathy, the police officials had apprised the medicos with the grimness of the situation. Atmosphere in the city was getting charged with tension and ire. The home minister was coming to visit the city. Naturally, he would be coming to the hospital also to enquire about the well-being of the injured. The doctors must feel the pulse of time.

To absolve himself of his duty, the emergency doctor had informed all the doctors over telephone. He had also reprimanded the radiologist and the gynacologist Dr. Sharanjit. They could come under the axe.

The contractor had submitted his report. There was nothing to expect from here. Every diagnosis would have to be made free of charge. Dr. Naseeb Mittal had nothing to bother much about. He had gone to court for evidence and every citizen was duty-bound to cooperate with the court. He had also obtained a certificate regarding his appearance as witness from the court. Now he needed not worry about the minister. He had directed his pharmacist to ask the patient for coming tomorrow.

Dr. Sharanjit had no such a plausible excuse. That is why she had sent a message to her nurse to get ready. On her arrival, she had to attend Neha first of all and then look towards other patients.

When Ram Nath reached the Gynae ward, Neha was undergoing medical check-up. Her wounds had been dressed. The torn and blood smeared clothes had been taken into custody. Nurse had put them in a white bag, making a parcel of them.

Sangeeta got her sister-in-law (husband’s sister) seated near Neelam in and herself came near Neha. Sangeeta and Pallvi were assisting the lady doctor in examining Neha who was lying motionless. It seemed as if she had not yet regained her consciousness.

As she saw Ram Nath entering the ward, Sangeeta came to her to enquire about Ved’s well-being.

Ram Nath took Sangeeta aside. Sangeeta had seen Neha being medically examined. What had happened to her ? Ram Nath wanted this information in minutest possible detail which he needed for inclusion in the registration of case.

The girl was in a very pitiable condition. The assailant must have been a very stout and sturdy man. He had attacked the girl like a wolf and seemed to have dug his teeth on every part of her body. She would take some days to contain herself at a psychological level.

Neha was in deep trauma. As and when she regained her wits a little she would start talking of finishing herself.

“Is she in a position to tell something ?” Ram Nath’s mind was obsessed with the singular idea of drawing more and more information out of the traumatized girl and strengthen criminal case against the accused.

“People say, the lawyers have no heart in their bosoms. And they are cent per cent right. She is out to kill herself out of shame. And you ! you talk of getting details of rape from her ? for God’s sake don’t ever sprinkle salt on her festering wounds by asking her any embarrassing questions. Please spare my poor daughter.”

Sangeeta gave vent to her anger through an outburst of tears by throwing her head on Ram Nath’s shoulder.

“Registration of case is a must. Now tell me what shall I ask the Police to register in the complaint against the accused.

The tears of Sangeeta made Ram Natha feel heavy at heart. But he restrained his tears. After a brief silence he consoled himself and share his anguish with Sangeeta as she contained herself a bit.

“He'll with your case ! who knows how ferocious were the assailants. Who will stand witness against them ? You take care of our own near and dear ones.

“Okay ! Let’s see.”

“ One thing more. For God’s sake don’t ever mention Neha’s rape in the report. If it ‘s mentioned at all, it will ruin her future, mind it.”

Only a woman could have a feel of another woman’s agony.

For the first time Ram Nath realized how petrified he was at heart. The preoccupation with arriving at substantial proofs seemed to have wiped out all that was human and humane in him. His farsightedness had vanished for the time being. Why didn’t it occur to him ? He felt a deep sense of remorse at heart. As a lawyer he should have been aware of the futuristic impact of rape.

Anyway, all was not lost as yet. He will not mention incidence of rape in the Police report, he decided.

He should start obliterationg the proofs of reape from right now.

Dr. Sharanjit was busy preparing injury report. Ram Nath wanted to see the doctor. He must request her to conceal altogether the rape part of the report and should mention other physical injuries only.

Ram Nath was fully confident that as a woman herself, the Doctor would understand Neha’s feminine compulsions. Moreover, when the plaintiff side had nothing against concealing this unfortunate reality what objection could the doctor have. She could have anything against this concealment if it had been demanded by the respondents.

“What‘re you talking Vaqil Sahib ! How can I conceal such an important fact ? I’ve to remain in my job. If somebody else applied for her medical examination from somewhere else, what will be my position then ?”

“ Who else can be interested in getting her examined ?Nobody knows who the culprits are. I’m the Mama (maternal uncle) of the girl. And a lawyer at that. I’m the most concerned person here to care for her good or bad. Her parents are lying on the verge of death. It’s a question of the victim’s future after all.”

Ram Nath implore his best to touch the tenderest possible chord of the doctor . But she was not the one to melt like that. The tears flooding the eyes of Ram Nath were no better than some droplets of saline water.

When he persisted with his entreaties a little more, She blurted out.

“Please ! Don’t waste my time. Let me do my work.”

Seeing no ray of hope, a disappointed Ram Nath came out of her office.

“Uncle, you please see that contractor. He’ll get the needful done,’ Pallavi had not forgotten the hospital parking contractor. So she came out with her valuable suggestion.

Once again Ram Nath felt irritated at his muddle headedness. The lawyer in him had died, perhaps. How could he accommodate such rare ideas ? Even the very ordinary ideas were eluding his grasp now. He found himself strangely in the troubled waters.

The contractor dragged his feet a bit at first. He had been offering his services since morning and nobody had given an ear to him.

Then he agreed. In ordinary cases the doctor charged a fees of five thousand rupees. Here there was no other side. Moreover it was a question of girl’s honour. Therefore he started negotiating with four thousand and settled at half the amount.

Ram Nath thanked God. The girl’s honour narrowly escaped being public.

One major problem was solved after all. But now another stared him in the face.

Neha was to regain her snses within few hours. Then she was to be discharged from the hospital. The problem was where he should take her from the hospital.

Both Ram Nath and Sangeeta raked their brains but failed to find a solution to the problem. They could not find a single house where the girl should be taken to stay for a few days.

Once again Pallavi appeared as the most comfortable answer to their dilemma.

She was already aware of this impending situation.

Pallavi's parents were coming to the hospital for taking her along.

Till she recovers properly, Neha will live with Pallavi at her house.

Again there was a message from Police. Police could not wait any longer.

Moreover, now there was no reason for delay. Ram Nath directed Sangeeta to stay at the hospital till Kamal and Ved were discharged and then reach Dayanand Hospital.

He himself was going home regarding registration of case.

EPISODE .5

The news of the gory incident was spreading like wild fire. All the four members of the family had their respective social circles. Anybody belonging to these circles would rush to their house as he or she came to know about this heart-rending tragedy.

By the time Ram Nath reached after getting himself freed from hospital, a large crowd had gathered at the Kothi.

The police had finished its formality of examining the site of incident. The crime was committed in a very well-designed manner. The accused had not left behind any proofs from their own side. The police had recovered a rod used for hitting, from the scene and a bag in which they had brought tools like screw-driver, spanners etc. The footprints and fingerprints were too dim to be easily spotted. To gather more proofs, some forensic experts were yet to arrive. The main part of the kothi was sealed to keep it intact for further investigation.

The media persons felt exasperated at the reticence of Police. Why was police maintaining a mysterious silence ? They were trying to club together bits and pieces to develop their despatches. The police had stopped them several times from interviewing the people. The neighbours knew nothing.

"Please don’t spoil the whole case by mis-reporting the facts. Have patience, till we issue a press-note," the press people were requested.

As Ram Nath reached home, he was surrounded by the police men. Ved’s relatives had put the whole onus on him. He was a lawyer. Who could know better but a lawyer, how to get the case registered ? Whatever he will do will be acceptable to all.

Ram Nath knew the importance of case registration. It had to become the basis of the entire suit. So it must be factual in nature. Ram Nath knew nothing about the incident. Nothing was clear as to whether the assailants were two, four, ten or twelve in number, whether they had entered the house by scaling down the outer wall or they entered by ringing the door bell ? How were they dressed up ? Were they fully dressed or with unclad torsos ? Were they the men with long hair, shorn heads or with a Maulavi-cut beard and hair style ? Who was attacked first ? Who murdered Kamal ? Who raped Neha ? Was it an individual or gan rape ? Who injured Neelam and Ved.

These were the questions which emerged out of the situation out Ram Nath had no answer even to any one of them. The registration of case merely on the basis of speculation could lead nowhere. The guilty were bound to be nabbed sooner or later and they were sure to inform every detail of the incident to their lawyer. The statements of the plaintiff and respondent sides would naturally vary a lot from each other. Lack of any coordination between the statements of both sides would simply help the accused get a benefit of doubt.

Ram Nath felt non-plussed. He was misceably fatigued due to unusual exertion, mental tension and unsatiated hunger and thirst. On such occasions he would rejuvenate himself by drinking a cup of strong tea. But even tea was not available in the prevailing circumstances.

The inspector realized Ram Nath’s perturbed state of mind and took him aside for sharing a technical point.

“Is there a servant also in this house ?” he asked Ram Nath.

Ram Nath understood the purport of the sub-inspector.

Now the domestic servants were no longer as reliable as they used to be earlier. During the last one year, there had been many incidents having the involvement of domestic helps. The Inspector quoted a recent incident to illustrate his point saying,

“Last week a bank Manager’s servant mixed some sleep-inducing drug in the meals at night. When all members of the family fell fast asleep, he opened the main gate of the Kothi for his accomplices. With great ease they looted the house and decamped. So far, neither the servant nor his accomplices have been tracked down.”

But Ved’s servant was not like that. He was just seven when his uncle had brought him to Punjab. For a couple of years he worked in some other house and for the last five years, he had been with this family. Neither he ever visited his native place nor any body ever came to see him even once. His uncle came to visit him every year and took away his salary. Ved had kept the servant as one would keep one’s son.

Ram Nath could not even think of his involvement in such an incident.

The closeness of the servant with the family only confirmed the suspicion of the Inspector. The servant knew where money was kept in the house. Change of mind takes no time. Nobody can say when one is spoiled in a bad company. T.V. and films also teach burglary, dacoity and rape to the viewers. The servants, once freed from household work, keep sitting before the T.V. screen, the whole day. The servant might have picked up get rich quick message from a feature film. Well, who can rule out this possibility ?

The Police officer was right of course. Ramu was really fond of watching TV. The office television was of a very old model. When it came to selling the old set, nobody was ready to pay more than two thousand rupees for it. As such Ved brought it home and rather than selling it at a throw away price, he got it installed in the servant’s room. It will keep Ramu happy on one hand and restrain him from watching TV in the company of children, on the other.

“Where is the servant ? “before speaking in favour of or against Ramu, Ram Nath enquired the station House Officer about he servant.

“He is under the vigil of Police. His behaviour is strange,” the SHO started telling Ram Nath regarding the details of incident received from Ramu.

Till the arrival of Police, he was fast asleep in his room with his TV set on.

Such a terrible incident had taken place in the house. All members of the house had a scuffle with the accused. There must have been a great commotion. The household articles were broken and many things had gone out of the house. Didn’t all this disturb the servant’s sleep at all ?

When asked by the police, he had put off the whole thing. Till late at night he had been doing his work. A film of Amitabh Bachan was being telecast. He didn’t know when he fell asleep all of a sudden. He had woken-up only at the arrival of Police, he had told the investigation officer.

The servant had not given any cogent information during the preliminary probe. It required a hard pressing interrogation. But time was not yet ripe enough to resort to any strictness. However Ramu could not be let loose either. He had to be dealt with tactfully without giving him any chance to escape.

A Hawaldar was keeping a strict eye on Ramu’s movements. Who, from his fraternity, meets him ? What does he talk during such meetings ? Whether he is scared or in a normal state of mind. The Police had to be vigilant till the investigation was set on a particular track. Ram Nath’s co-operation was solicited by the Police.

Ram Nath had no sympathies with the servant. But since he was just like a family member, he should not be thrashed without any convincing proofs against him. This was what Ram Nath felt.

Anyway, this issue will be taken care of later on. The problem at hand was, against whom and on whose statement the case ought to be registered.

Had the needle of suspicion not pointed to the servant, the case could have been registered on the basis of his statements. He could be made the eye witness to the whole occurrence.

But the SHO did not conform to this view. The case could not be based entirely on the basis of a servant’s statements. Who knows who emerges as the killer ? Such a witness takes no time in having a U-turn just for a few bucks.

At least the case must be got registered by someone from the aggrieved family.

Neha could be that member of the family. The doctor had also declared her fit to give statement.

The Inspector and lawyer, both reached the same conclusion i.e. the case should be registered on the basis of Neha’s statement. Who cares for the signatures ? Ram Nath himself should scribble her signatures. The investigation officer will attest it. The problem will be solved without any hitch. There is no need to bother Neha and the case will be registered.

Now the problem was against whom the case should be registered ?

The investigation made by the SHO held the Kala kachha gang responsible for the crime. If Ram Nath suspected anybody else, it could also be considered.

Tallying Maya Devi’s statement regarding the inimical designs of her sons with the grievous injuries of the victims, the architectas of this incident stood clearly identified. The plotters would themselves come out with the names of the real culprits.

Ram Nath shared the acrimonious relations between the two families and intimidation by Pankaj and his brother Neeraj.

The SHO noted down these details in his diary but was not convinced that family level differences of trivial nature could lead to an incident of such a horrendous magnitude. Implicating Ved’s nephews just on the basis of suspicion would not be fair. They could be accused later on after a clue is found against them but inclusion of their names in the case must be avoided for the time being.

The SHO had expressed this noble advice on account of more than one reasons.

First, prima facie, it looked like a common incident of burglary turned into dacoity. No affluent family would stoop so low as to devise such heinous plots. The SHO was likely to stir the hornets nest by including the names of opulent and influential persons in the case. What would he get but stings by doing so ?

Secondly, it would amount to ingratitude. Pankaj’s manager had just now come and greased his palm with ten thousand rupees. The manager had received a phone call made by Pankaj from Delhi in this connection. The family disputes were confined to the courts only. Blood never turns into water. The inspector should pursue his investigation whole heartily and the accused must be arrested at all costs. Pankaj had nothing to worry about money. How could the party which was ready to pay ten thousand for making a spirited probe in to the case, be the killer itself ? the SHO was not ready to digest this truth.

Third and the most important reason was that Ram Nath’s hint would provide Police an excuse to harass Pankaj and his brother. He could visualize no pecuniary bonanza from the plaintiff side. Who knows, how much time it would take to nab the accused. The SHO could expect a comfortable gratification from Pankaj only.

Ram Nath had to agree to the investigation officer (I.O.). The inclusion of the names of Mohan Lal’s sons in the case without first taking into confidence his sister and her husband could bring only a bad name to him.

There was nothing to think about much now.

Neha’s proxy statement was recorded as under :

“I was studying in my room between two and 3 O’clock in the thick of night. The door bell rang. I shook my Papa off his sleep. Mama also woke up alongwith him. Papa reached the main gate. There were two men in Commando Uniform. Taking them to be the Policemen on night patrol, Papa opened the gate. The accused were clad in black. There faces were covered with black cloth and they had black goggles on their eyes. They said they were Policemen and wanted to search the Kothi as they suspected a thief was hidden there. Under this pretext they came in followed by two-three others like them. Some of them came into the lobby while some stayed outside. In the lobby they started demanding cash and jewellery from Ved. They asked for the keys of almirah. This noise awakened Kamal. He came into the lobby and had a scuffle with the ruffians. To help their comrades those staying outside also came in. Somebody was having a dagger and some other had a rod in his hand. Their faces were uncovered in the scuffle. If produced before my eyes, I can identify one of them. One of them stabbed Kamal in the stomach while another hit Mama. Still another hit my Papa. They dragged me forcibly and locked me up in the room. Then they decamped with the looted booty. All members of the family fainted. What happened thereafter, I know nothing.

Getting this statement signed by Ram Nath in Neha’s name, the I.O. heaved a sigh of relief. The headache is over for the time being he though.

The crowd started dispersing after the case was registered.

Two constables moved towards the hospital with Kamal’s deadbody.

The other policemen turned towards the Police Station. A lot of written work was yet to be done.

The media person rushed towards thir offices. The onlookers also turned away.

The sorrow-stricken relatives spread carpets in the street.

Very impatiently they started waiting for the return of Kamal’s dead body so that cremation lakes place well in time.

EPISODE-6

Like Sardari Lal and Sangeeta, Mangat Rai also could not join the cremation rites of Kamal.

They were stuck in Dayanand Hospital for looking after Ved and Neelam. Both the patients were in a precarious condition. The doctors were trying their best to save their life. They needed the support of family attendants at every step.

Neelam was admitted to the neuro emergency ward. Sardari Lal, Sangeeta and Seema were standing outside this ward and fulfilling the medical requirements as directed by the doctors

This ward was on the fifth floor of the hospital.

Ved was lying in the emergency of Ortho ward. Mangat Rai, his wife Sujata and Sangeeta’s brother Pawan were there to attend them. This ward was on the first floor.

Dr. Dev was shuttling between the two wards. The hospital doctors were not making anything clear to them. Even Dr. Dev was not allowed to go to the emergency. He was conjecturing the patient's condition on the basis of their medical investigation report.

As soon as he got to know something, he immediately apprised the patient's attendants with the latest situation. Neelam’s head injury was very serious. Blood had clotted at several places in her brain. She was in coma. Brain was no longer functioning as a control tower for her body parts. Blood pressure fluctuated in a very dismal way. Pulse-rate was very slow. Heart too was not in a stable condition. She must be operated upon immediately. But the doctors were not yet able to decide whether the patient was in a position to be operated upon or not. They had conducted tests on her blood, diabetic level, heart, kidneys and pancreas. Final decision was to be taken after a perusal of the report of these tests. Overall the condition could not be described as out of danger.

Ved’s condition, too was akin to that of Neelam. His legs and arms were in as critical a condition as the brain of Neelam. The broken jaw-bone was the biggest problem. It could neither be plated nor plastered. The bones had to be linked together tightly by passing wires from the nose and mouth. The tautness of wires was very painful. So long as the wires were there, he had to be kept on anaesthesia. The pain of injuries and delay in treatment had a very adverse effect on heart. His heartbeat was fluctuating fast. Blood pressure had mounted and diabetic level come down. The leg-bones were broken in to so many pieces that there seemed to be little hope of their joining together again. Even amputation of any of the legs could be resorted to for saving the life of the patient. It could prove fatal also.

For the attendants beside the health of their patients, the expenditure to be made on the operations was also a cause of great anxiety.

Both the patients had been admitted to the hospital by Sardari Lal. Admission fees for each patient was five hundred rupees. Thus, a sum of ten thousand had been spent on the admission of both the patients. Sardari Lal had brought fifty thousand rupees with him. The remaining forty thousand had been spent on the medicines, instruments and clinical tests of Neelam. He had hardly two-three thousand with him now.

Mangat Rai had withdrawn twenty thousands from Ram Nath’s account and brought another thirty thousand from his own side. At the time of departure, he had never thought that money would go down the drain so fast like this. Even if he knew, he could not arrange a bigger sum. Collecting from here and there would have been very time-consuming.

Mangat Rai had spent about fifteen thousand on reports like MRI, CT scan and X-ray etc. Another five thousand had been spent on medicines and warm bandages. He had thirty thousand with him. It was to be spent on plates. From where money will come hereafter ? This anxiety was gnawing at the heart of Mangat Rai.

A five-six hours stay had made the attendants realize that the fees had to be deposited before taking the patients to the operation theatre.

Fees for Neelam’s operation was thirty thousand and about twenty thousands were to be spent on medicines, injections etc.

Ved’s operation also called for almost the same expenditure including twenty thousand as the operation fees. Four plates were required for setting the bones aright. The price of an imported one would cost fifteen to twenty thousand.

Roughly one lac rupees were needed at least. The attendants started planning about managing the funds while the doctors setup on examining the medical reports.

The doctors had a sense of satisfaction when after a toil of six hours they succeeded in controlling the diabetic level and blood pressure of the patients.

Having received a green signal from the doctor, the attendants were asked from the public address system to deposit fees at the counter and sign the paper.

Rather than going to the counter, all the relatives started converging at one place.

Sardari Lal clarified his position. He had spent all the money he had brought along and had all the receipts as a testimony to the fact. He handed over the receipts to Mangat. He had no acquaintances in Maya Nagar. However, he could get an equal amount managed from his village after the banks opened. In case more was needed, he would have to borrow from someone.

Mangat Rai also offered the thirty thousand he had in his pocket. And he had no other means to manage more at this time.

The remaining amount could be arranged in consultation with Ram Nath.

Kamal’s cremation ceremonies were over by now. Ram Nath was expected here any time.

And they started waiting for Ram Nath.

…………………………………..

EPISODE-7

The Pandit, relatives and neighbours were pressing upon Ram Nath for an early post-mortem. Cremation must take place before the sunset. In case of sunset the cremation would have to wait for the next day. The dead body had started stinking. It could not be preserved overnight.

Ram Nath knew this social inhibition and was trying his best to get the dead body in time.

The concerned officers were quite compassionate to the bereaved family. There was no hitch from any sides but there were so many legal formalities to be completed that the delay was inevitable. Police had to prepare their reports before the post-mortem and the doctors had to do much more after the post-mortem. It was a case of murder. Any discrepancy howsoever small, could lead to the acquittal of the accused. Ram Nath was aware of these intricacies. Therefore he could ill-afford to advise the officials concerned to leave their proceedings incomplete.

Keeping in view the difficulties of the kith and kin of the deceased coming from outside, the police and doctors handed over the deadbody to the family after completing the formalities which could not be dispensed with at all, to enable the relatives performs the funeral rites.

Some one gave a very sensible advice that there was no use taking dead body to the house where the whole atmosphere was changed with awe and horror. Other members of the family were dangling between life and death. Therefore, the will of almighty must be accepted with a feeling of total surrender. Time must be saved to save other members by devoting all possible attention to them.

Therefore, the dead body was taken straight way to the cremation ground.

The cremation took place in an atmosphere of deadly silence. The relatives seemed to have petrified. Nobody was shedding tears or uttering a single syllable at all.

The relatives who had some superstitions of their own to worry about, returned to their respective places right from the cremation. But those who bothered more about the relatives rather than absurd superstitions turned their steps towards the hospital.

It took a little longer for Ram Nath in solemnizing the funeral rites of Kamal.

He started receiving one message after another from the hospital that the condition of patients was critical. The doctors wanted to operate upon them immediately. Their life was in danger. Before taking any risk the doctors wanted to take consent of the attendants. Ram Nath must come at once and put his signatures on the consent papers.

Ram Nath was not the only relation of the patients there. Many relatives like him were present in the hospital. He could read something else from the text of this message. But he left every other thing midway and rushed to the hospital.

The relatives were assembled together on the first floor.

Ram Nath found it difficult to climb upstairs. He felt as if his legs had become incredibly heavy. He was out of his breath and his eyes seemed to be swollen. Ram Nath knew, these were the symptoms of abnormally high blood pressure.

After walking a few steps ahead he felt a sort of dizziness. Like a drunkard his steps became uneven. But Sangeeta immediately supported him as he was about to collapse. With the support of her shoulder, she made Ram Nath seated on a chair lying nearby.

Sardari Lal appeared at once with a water bottle and put to his lips. Ram Nath gulped down the whole glass within no time. Sardari Lal gave him another glass. Ram Nath drank it also without a slightest pause. During the last 15-16 hours, this was for the first time that he could have some intake of water.

Coolness of water had the desired effect. Darkness from before his eyes dispelled fast and his respiration became stable.

Pawan realized the whole situation. This condition of Ram Nath was simply an out come of prolonged hunger and thirst. He had observed that ever since he had come to Maya Nagar, he had never seen Ram Nath eating or drinking anything. Many a time Pawan had tried to make him take some thing to eat or drink but everytime he had rejected his offer.

Sangeeta’s condition, too, was no different from that of her husband. Although she was not as famished as Ram Nath, yet she was awfully hungry.

There must be some other relatives also who may be sitting hungry just out of a reluctance that is quite natural in such a gloomy situation.

Whatever was inevitable had occurred already. Starving others would not bring the dead back to life.

So it would be worth while to take care of the survivors. And it required them to be hale and hearty so that the traumatized members of the family are well looked after. Ram Nath was the hub of all activity. Any harm to his health would spoil everything.

With these ideas of practical wisdom in his mind, Pawan went to the canteen and returned with a jug full of tea and disposable glasses.

Ram Nath’s body was no better than a lump of earth now due to starvation and incessant fatigue. So he could not say “no” to Pawan. But by way of countesy he took the glass and handed it to Sardari Lal, his brother–in-law. Sardari Lal was also feeling a strong urge for tea but showing a sense of decency he gave the glass to Sangeeta. Thus Pawan kept pouring tea into the plastic glasses and relatives passed them further on to each other.

When all started sipping the refreshing brew, Pawan was encouraged further. He silently went to the canteen and came back with 4-5 packets of bread. He now started distributing bread-pieces to all.

Since everybody was feeling hungry, so nobody refused and accepted bread along with tea.

After satisfying his hunger, Ram Nath felt himself re-energised as if nothing had gone wrong with him.

Now seeing the opportune moment, Dr. Dev apprised Ram Nath and other relatives with the latest condition of the patients. He added that any delay in operations could turn fatal. Therefore, the doctors must be allowed to start operation by first completing the paper formalities.

Ram Nath failed to understand as to why Mangat Rai had not signed the papers so far if the operations were that much necessary. Was there any difference between him and Mangat ?

To make the situation very clear, Mangat took him aside and explained the expenditure already made and the one that was to be made on the operations.

Pawan also heard the hush-hush talk over the paucity of funds. He was not a very rich person but a scooter-mechanic only. He had immediately rushed to the hospital after locking his shop as soon as he came to know about the incident. Money is required urgently on such occasions, he knew and brought along whatever was lying in his own safe and coffers of his neighbours. More than one thousand was already spent and eight nine thousand rupees were still with him.

He handed over this amount to Sangeeta.

This initiative by Pawan encouraged others also. Every relative knew this harsh reality that money is needed in such exigencies. So every body had reached there with some amount according to his or her capacity

The relatives voluntarily started contributing to the pool.

Ram Nath signalled to Mangat that he should note down the names and contributions of the benevolent relatives. Neither Ram Nath nor the affected relatives had any dearth of money. Everybody’s share will be returned with a profound sense of gratitude.

The number of contributors increased manifold as they saw Mangat noting down names and amount given by each and every relative.

The amount accumulated thus was sufficient enough to meet the expenditure on both the patients.

Mangat wanted to return the surplus money but Dr. Dev stopped him saying that expenses were not over as yet. Who knows when a slip bearing prescription of medicines comes out and when an expensive test is required. So for the time being, money should be kept in reserve.

After the patients were taken into the operation theatre, most of the relatives were requested with folded hands to go home and have rest.

The close relatives squatted in a corner of the hospital and started waiting for the patients to come out alright from the operation theatre.

……………………………

EPISODE-8

The Police officer kept; holding meetings throughout the night and discussed this incident at length.

There had certainly been some incidents earlier as well but this one was the most disgusting. Rape had been unprecedented so far. Earlier incidence showed that the injuries were inflicted only in the case of a stiff resistance. But in this case the attack was well-contemplated and without almost any resistance by the members of family.

Kamal was an MBA student in the university and an active member of students union. The union leaders had announced indefinite strike from tomorrow. They were demanding immediate arrest of the murders.

Neha was a diploma holder in journalism. Now she was a students of MA in English literature. Also she was working as a free lance journalist with Press Trust of India. She had amorous relations with Sagar, a well-known journalist. Both were about to be betrothed. Due to her being a would be of Sagar, it had become an issue of prestige for the journalists of the city. From tomorrow onwards each and every-point of this case would be raked up in the news papers.

The intelligence department had conveyed both the decisions to the chief Minister via senior officers. As a result, every officer was pulling up the SSP.

The Chief Minister had announced in a press conference that the probe into the case had been handed over to the SSP. If the killers were not apprehended within a fortnight, the SSP would be transferred, he said.

The opposition was already out to confront the Chief Minister on many fronts. Now it would find a golden opportunity to lambaste him on as crucial an issue as worsening law and order situation in the state. He could not afford to let the opposition castigate him on this account.

This announcement by the chief Minister in the press conference had thrown the SSP off his feet. He would become a scapegoat if the accused were not apprehended within fifteen days.

Therefore, the SSP intensified his efforts to abide by the orders of the chief Minister by all means. He activised all units working under him. Raids were conducted here and there for tracking down the culprits.

The servant had become an eyesore for the SSP. How could the inquiry progress without interrogating him ? He himself wanted to interrogate him.

The SHO had done well to let Ramu go yesterday. The people trusted his loyalty. Moreover atmosphere was tension charged and it was not proper to be hard on him.

Now the situation had changed and nobody bothered for the servant. Nobody knew where he had spent the might. If he ran away, it would be very unfortunate for the SSP.

Whole night the SSP kept gnashing his teeth at the servant.

Next morning the SSP decided to visit the site of incident once again. Ram Nath and the servant were allowed to join the police on this occasion.

Ramu had spent the night at the neighbouring house. The neighbour had said that Ramu was frightened awfully and he had been tossing in his bed throughout the night. He had hardly swallowed a few morsels of bread due to great mental tension. He insisted upon going to his uncle’s house.

This restlessness of Ramu augured good for the SSP. His nervousness showed that he was concealing something.

When the Khaki-clad Police-Officer looked into the eyes of the boy, his bloodshot eyes seemed to have pierced the bosom of poor Ramu. He shuddered at the sight of the ferocity of those eyes.

“Look Beta, the chowkidar of the locality has told me everything. The thieves had entered the kothi by scaling the outer wall. You had seen them entering the house.

The SSP’s words were sugarcoated but the bitterness behind the sugar coating and the threat hidden in them could not remain un-noticed by the frightened Ramu.

“Yes, Sir.

“What Sir ?” the officer could never think that his trickery would work so well.

“Very Good ! what did you see next. Tell me all that you saw. You wil be given a reward. You are a very loyal servant. Your masters are all praise for you. Your younger master has been killed. Elder master and mistress were beaten up mercilessly. Tell me the truth, what happened ? Whom of them do you know.

“Telling you Sir,” a trembling Ramu started narrating the whole incident as the witnessed it.

Ramu was watching TV in his room. As a thief entered the Kothi by jumping over the iron gate of the kothi, a metallic sound was heard. This was what brought Ramu on the roof. From there, he cast a glance at the main gate. By that time the thief who had already entered, opened the gate, thus giving way to his three-four accomplices. He was terrified at the very sight of their black clothes and fearsome faces. Frightended, he came back to his room and tried to sleep by closing his eyes.

After sometime shrieks were heard from the house. What happened ? To know this, he stealthily came near the stairs and started looking towards the lobby. At that time a thief was stabbing Kamal in the stomach. From another side, he heard cries of Neelam and Neha. When he saw a little more attentively, he saw the contractor Ram Lubhaya of his native state standing there. Although the contractor was also appareled in black yet he had recognized the man.

Ram Lubhaya was a very dreadful man. Had he seen Ramu standing there, he would have killed him. Thus in sheer fright he had come back to his room.

When after sometime he mustered courage to look towards the lobby he found it sanguined all around. Kamal had died while other members were gasping for life.

Seeing the masters in such a pitiable condition, he was horrified. In sheer bewilderment he switched on his Television set and tried to sleep once again.

The identification of one of the accused, gave SSP a sense of relief.

Who is Ram Lubhaya ?" the SSP became more conscious to know the background of the identified culprit.

He belonged to Ramu’s district. He had been living a settled life in Maya Nagar since the times prior to his birth. He had brought many people to Maya Nagar from his native place. They remained in utter subservience to him and he too reciprocated them well by taking good care of them. Those who ever tended to move against him were subjected to police-thrashing at his behest. In connivance with the police, he got them implicated in fake criminal cases. In his own native place, it was in the air, that he had burnt some labourers alive in the furnaces of factories. That is why none could dare utter a word against him.

This was the gist of what Ramu narrated to the SSP.

This elaborate information about Ram Lubhaya was told to Ramu by his uncle. At the Holi festival, Ramu would visit his uncle. Since his uncle, too, had been brought to Punjab by Ram Lubhaya, he was heartily grateful to him.

“ Well done, Beta ! You’ve done a very noble dead.” Apparently, the SSP patted Ramu’s back but at his heart of hearts, his own. He had solved the tangle with his intellect.

“Vaqil Sahib ! Please keep tight-lipped lest the whole game is spoilt.” Taking leave of Ram Nath, the Police officer warned the former against disclosing what had transpired between him and the servant.

In the way, the SSP had his own doubts. Ramu might have mistaken someone else as Ram Lubhaya. May be, he lied before me out of fear,” he thought.

Ramu’s words could not be relied upon till Ram Lubhaya was captured.

Ramu did not know anything about the colony Ram Lubhaya lived in. Nor did he know anything about the whereabouts of his uncle.

Till the arrest of Ram Lubhaya, Ramu must be protected. The meeting between the SSP and Ramu too, should not be leaked at all.

The next step of the Police Officer was guided by a rare farsightedness.

As soon as he reached his office, he dispatched two constables in plain clothes to Ved’s house.

For an hour or so, they had to stay there and then they were to take the servant at a place directed by the SSP, in a cycle-rickshaw.

ESPISODE-9

Maya Nagar had a population of about 25 lacs out of which six-seven lacs were migrants. About five lacs of them hailed from Bihar and Utter Pradesh only. They had their colonies on the outskirts of the city. Focal point area looked no less than a miniature Bihar. Even the shopkeepers of these colonies were their native brethren. The heads of these colonies were also from amongst them. Some gutsy migrants who had settled here longback, had abandoned labour and become labour-contractors in stead.

Hundreds of contractors like Ram Lubhaya were living in this city. Which Ram Lubhaya , should the SSP lay his hands on ?

The S.S.P announced Red Alert to the intelligence wing. Ramu’s uncle should be tracked down and picked up wherever his is found. He should be made to speak out the whereabouts of Ram Lubhaya and the SSP be intimated accordingly. One who comes back with right information about him should be given a cash prize as also promotion.

Before the pall of darkness descended over the city, the intelligence people had gathered comprehensive information. A detailed account of Ram Lubhaya’s misdeeds so far, was furnished to the SSP.

Ram Lubhaya had come to Punjab, two decades back. A mason from his village had brought him here. The wages of masons were touching dizzying heights those days. The master mason first put Ram Lubhaya on labour and within a year, trained him in masoning.

Ram Lubhaya was a man of sturdy physique and sharp intellect. By working twelve hours a days in stead of routine eight hours he started earning a double income. After two years he brought two of his cousins from his village. Leaving his mentor, he formed his own team. Within a year, they became masons. Ram Lubhaya brought more men from his village. In a period of six-seven years he had a small empire of his own to rule over.

First he obtained from his mentor a contract of plastering a kothi. When he came to understand the secrets of his trade, he got a contract of building a kothi completely. After earning good enough, he started contracting the construction of three-four kothis simultaneously.

He learnt motorcycle driving. First, he purchased a second hand motor bike and then a new one. He brought his family from his village. His wife started working as a domestic help in the kothis to supplement the family income.

When he had some surplus money, he purchased a two-hundred square-yard plot in the fields and constructed four rooms on it by using old debris. He rented all the four rooms to the migrant labourers. This venture benefited him a lot. The labourers became readily available and rent added to his income. He set up a grocery shop for the elder boy. Thus the earning of laborurers started falling into his pockets though in a circumventous way.

Now Ram Lubhaya went ahead and started building factory buildings rather than Kothis. As he came into contact with the industrialists, he learnt the knack of getting workers recruited in the factories. Alongwith building contractorship, he started supplying workers to the factories.

He purchased the adjacent plot and built some more rooms. This colony of two hundred to three hundred workers, became his fiefdom. Most of the residents of this colony were brought by him from Bihar. He had first taught them work and then got them employed. They gave credit of their improved fortunes to Ram Lubhaya and were ready to lay down their life at his behest.

Ram Lubhaya’s value multiplied manifold during election season. All political parties tried to pamper him.

The Congress party made him an active member and started inviting him in its special meetings by making him president of the colony. Also he was made the incharge of rallies organized in Maya Nagar. Buses, trucks, cars and liquor were available against the slip issued by him.

Hereditary habit of picking up disputes and committing minor crimes was there in the workers migrated from UP and Bihar. Every other day police visited the colony under the pretext of inquiry about one or the other crime. He got his people acquitted by pecuniary handshake with the cops. So the police also started treating him as a source of income and honoured his recommendation also.

Factory owners and workers viewed him as a goon. But Ram Lubhaya did not see himself as a goon. Small scale embroils and petty thefts formed an integral part of his class culture. He had never locked horns with the natives of the city. What to speak of his own men, they were just like lumps of earth. Threat them as cruelly as you like, there would be no resentment. Next morning again they would be at your feet. He was a leader of his own clan only.

There were some migrants in his colony. Who were involved in stealings and snatchings. Ram Lubhaya was aware of their activities but he never claimed any share and became a party to all that.

This was for the first time that had committed a crime himself his nephew. Drug addiction had led.

He had done so by being taken in by the temptation given by Pandit to fall in a bad company. To fulfil the needs of his addiction, he resorted to petty thefts. Encouraged by his success in thievery, he started looting people by standing on roadside in odd hours of night. Once or twice he was caught also. But was released by using the name of his uncle. Until recently he had started snatching gold-chains and purses. The city was terror-stricken due to such incidents which had become a constant headache for the police.

Ram Lubhaya came to know about these activities of Pandit when anti-goonda staff police picked him up. He confessed having committed many an incident and caused the arrest of several goldsmiths.

He had come out after an imprisonment of four months just recently. Jail had not proved to be reformatory for him. He had come out as a more hardened criminal instead. He had come in contact with the professional criminals.

Some gangster undergoing imprisonment had arranged this killing contract for him. Ram Lubhaya would never come to know about this nefarious contract if the party on the other side had not demanded any reliable mediator. They had to pay one lac rupees for this job. Such a heavy amount could not be handed over to a rascal. Money was to be given to a man of credibility. There was one more condition. The party would neither show its face or tell its name or address to the accused. This information would remain secure with the mediator only.

Uncle was fedup with the misdeeds of his nephew while the boy was bitter over the naggings of his uncle. The nephew told Ram Lubhaya that he was about to get a fat amount taking which he would board a train for Bombay. He promised that he would never again show his face in Maya Nagar.

The uncle kept brooding over the pros and cons of the whole affair. He was going to get rid of this spoilt brat, once for all. Well that was the only positive aspect of this wicked plot.

Secondly, the boy might mend his ways. Once he got out of the city safely, police would never be able to get at him. Thousands of new labourers come here and thousands leave daily. Nobody had any permanent settlement. Wherever one got a job, that became his footheld. Even the family members cannot find the boy who once leaves his home and hearth for greener pastures. How could the police find such a vagabond ? The contractor knew a number of such migrants who had returned to their native places after committing crimes and abducting girls. Police never turned its face towards their villages. The policemen just paid some intimidating visits to this colony and went back. The matter died its own death in due course of time.

Therefore, before giving his nephew an assenting nod, the contractor took him to Shiva’s temple and made him take an oath that in future neither he would commit any crime nor would ever turn his face towards Maya Nagar.

After this obnoxious oath taking ceremony was over, the contractor talked to the party giving the murder contract called Supari in common parlance.

The Supari-givers told that the accused would be given one lac as their remuneration and another five thousand to purchase tools to be used in the incident.

Then uncle and nephew settled their mutual terms and conditions.

Other accomplices were to be arranged by the nephew.

The two accomplices were to get twenty thousand each from the Supari amount and one third share from the looted cash and jewellery. The remaining sixty thousand were to be divided equally between the uncle and the nephew and similarly the looted booty was also to be shared equally by them.

Under the actual plan, the contractor was supposed only to act as a link between the Supari giving party and the accused. Neither he was to visit the site of incident nor was he to become a party to the incident.

The contractor had a very good reputation in Maya Nagar. Now he had become a permanent dweller of this city. The children were admitted to a school. He had everything including his own house, motor cycle, telephone etc. In his village, he was called Chaudhary and Sahukar (money-lender). Why earn a bad name in such shadowy deals ?

But his mouth watered as he visited the Kothi at the instigation of his nephew for making a re-connaisance. Since it belonged to a very affluent person, they were bound to lift a good booty from here. They were not to commit a very serious crime. Only the members of the family were to be given a little thrashing and the girl was to be molested a bit.

The contractor knew many such migrants who used to commit such crimes in the name of Kala Kachha gang. Only four-five percent used to be captured. Other cases were disposed off without much ado.

With a wavering mind Ram Lubhaya surrendered even to this wish of his nephew.

Till the last moment, the contractor had no intention at all to enter the Kothi. He had to assess the probable danger by staying out side and intimate the insiders if need be.

His second job was to ensure that the men and looted material reaches the destined place after the incident.

Ram Lubhaya was given five thousand rupees for the purchase of arms, bag, gloves, black dresses and black goggles. The clothes were to be burnt after the incident. Then why to purchase new ones ? He bought old dresses from a junkshop. There was no need to buy knives or daggers. They were not to murder any body after all. Two iron-rods were enough for spoliation. He, however, brought a bag and rods from the factory of the Supari-givers. Hardly five hundred was spent out of five thousand. The remaining four thousand five hundred was pocketed. Ram Lubhaya felt elated at this happy beginning.

But the very sight of Pandit’s accomplices stunned his uncle. They were very ferocious killers. Two of them were expected, but there was a third one also. He was a boy of very tender age, a novice in the line. This was his first experience on the crime-track.

Ram Lubhaya felt suspicious. The nephew had fallen into the snare of his rscal mentor. He had not taken along these people but it was the other way round. He himself was taken along by them. As per the conditions of Supari, only minor injuries were to be inflicted on family members. But the accomplices of the nephew had come well prepared for murder. They had two daggers with long blades and sharp edged knives. Besides pliers, screw-driver and other paraphernalia they also had a master-key to open the chests and almirahs.

Ram Lubhaya’s conscience cursed him. An inner voice from within himself, told him that he and his nephew had fallen in a trap laid by some scamps under a deep rooted conspiracy. He was about to be handcuffed, he felt. But there was no running away. Under such compulsive circumstance he also had to cross over the wall and enter the kothi.

And there happened inside the house what Ram Lubhaya apprehended but never wished.

After a very little refusal to hand over the keys of almirah, Pandit hit the mistress of the house on the head with the rod. She reeled around and fell flat on the ground.

Where was the need to break legs and arms of the master, when moved at the condition of his wife he was ready to surrender everything.

In stead of looting, ina barged in to the girl’s bed-room. When he saw her lying there scantily-clad, he animal in him raised its head. He pounced upon her like a wild dog.

The screams of the girl awakened her brother. He went to her bed-room and grappled with the beast in human form.

Pancham dragged him into the lobby. Inspite of repeated pleadings of Ram Lubhaya, he stabbed him into the stomach.

Ram Lubhaya kept entreating before them to desist from avoidable violence. He asked them to grab gold and silver by pressing upon the masters. But nobody lent an ear to him. They seemed to be interested more in violence then looting.

When all the members became unconscious and nothing much could be lifted, then they took to their heels by picking up what they could lay their hands upon.

Kalia wrapped up a colour TV in a sheet. Dina took away a Tape-reocorder and VCR. Pandit emptied an almirah of Saris, Suits etc. and bundled everything in a piece of cloth. Ram Lubhaya succeeded in getting away with some cash and jewellery.

Pandit’s accomplices pushed off straight from the site towards their places with their own share of the loot. Pandit went to his residence.

Ram Lubhaya kept hiding himself in his house the whole day. Sometimes he apprehended his arrest and then beamed at the sight of looted material.

“The accomplices of Pandit had decamped from the site. Pandit himself must have boarded the train for Bombay by now. Who is going to name me,” the contractor sat thinking in his house.

Caught between the thought of fear and joy Ram Lubhaya had been drinking whisky since morning. The intelligence people had failed to judge whether he was drinking to sink his sorrow or celebrate some achievement.

The intelligence officials in plain clothes had laid a siege around his house. They were waiting for the next orders of the SSP who was all praise for the performance of the intelligence personnel and saluted them from the innermost recesses of his heart.

“Now what are you waiting for ? Go ahead.”

An overjoyed SSP ordered the constables.

His order was accompanied with a warning that the real cause of Ram Lubhaya’s arrest should be kept secret.

……………………

ESPISODE-10

Even before his night hangover had gone the police swooped down on Ram Lubhaya. First he took it as a dream as throughout the night he had been having dreams of police raids. The nightmares of police beating disturbed his sleep many times during the night. As he opened his eyes, he had a sight of relief that it was a dream only.

But now, when a volley of sticks hit him all over the body, he came to realize that this was no dream but harsh reality.

The dazed wife and terrified children kept watching this scene with a sense of disbelief and helplessness.

Some policemen set upon searching the house and scattering the things here and there.

The early morning police-raids in the colonies of the migrant labourers was no new phenomenon. Recovery of stolen goods during the search of house was also a familiar sight.

What was new this time was the sad reality that the object of police wrath and search was none else than the contractor himself, not an ordinary labourer.

“Come on. Where is the material looted yesternight ? Where is the cash and jewellery ? Where have you hidden your other comrades ? “

“What money ? Who the men ? Being a man of stout physique Ram Lubhaya was bearing the caning with a brutal stamina.

Ram Lubhaya’s wife could not bear the sight of her husband being beaten mercilessly. She untied the key off her salwar string and threw it before the Hawaldar so that he could search the trunk himself.

She thought there would be no more than two-three thousand rupees in the box taking which the police’s fury will cool down and they will be off.

A constable brought the steel-trunk in the court yard and opened it in the presence of all. They were taken aback at what they saw therein. Along with seventy thousand hard cash there were two very expensive saris a solid gold necklace.

Cash could belong to the contractor. But the humble wife of Ram Lubhaya was in no position to wear such expensive saris and jewellery.

The police men fell exhilarated at the recovery of Saris and Necklace. They had succeeded in getting the maiden clue that established a link with the incident. Now there was no problem in getting at other links and complete the chain of events that paved way to the bloody episode.

This success was reported immediately to the SSP and guidelines were sought for further action.

At the orders of the SSP his house was searched thoroughly. The account-books, a pocket dairy, a bag and some visiting cards were seized from the spot.

His house was sealed and it was ordered that nobody should touch anything till the SSP himself visited the site.

The contractor and recovered articles were produced before the SSP.

The SSP went through the account books and prepared a list of all those with whom the contractor had some business dealings.

Ved dealt in sale and purchase of Kothis and shops. He was likely to need masons and labourers for minor repairs from time to time. So the contractor could be having some link with him.

The details of the subscribers of the phone-numbers written in Ram Lubhaya’s diary, were collected. One of the cellular Phone numbers belonged to Pankaj also.

At first, the SSP cast a cursory glance over the report prepared by the SHO. Although the plaintiff had not expressed suspicion against anybody in the plaint yet Ram Nath had orally mentioned threats to Ved’s family from the side of Pankaj. The name of Pankaj was there among the suspects.

The SSP once again glanced over the report, this time with deep insight.

Then the visiting cards recovered from the contractor's bag were scrutinized minutely. One of these belonged to Pankaj.

The second link established between Pankaj and Ram Lubhaya opened new path for the SSP to probe the case.

A comprehensive information was gathered on all aspects of Pankaj e.g. his background, his business, the spares manufactured in his factory, the number of workers working there etc.

Now the SSP found substance in Ram Nath’s suspicion against Pankaj.

Pankaj was one of the most reputed persons in the city. Without any solid proof, laying hands on him was fraught with danger.

The SSP did not have any faith in the SHO. He could spoil the whole game by acting as informer for the accused.

In this probe intelligence wing was giving its best cooperation to the SSP. Once again he patted the intelligence people. He wanted to know what the contractor had done for Pankaj ?Was any of the Kothis or factories of Pankaj built through him ? Did he ever supply labour to him ? If the contractor was in possession of Pankaj’s phone number and visiting card, there was bound to be any connection between the two. What was this connection ?

Directly, Ram Lubhaya had done nothing for Pankaj and his family. During the last week he had visited their factory twice. On both occasions, both the brothers were present in the factory. The contractor and the factory owners had exclusive meetings. After the second meeting, the contractor had taken two rods and two small bags from the factory. An entry to this effect was made in the factory record.

The district Police chief had almost reached its goal. The accused had used two rods in the incident. One of these was recovered from the site while the other was taken away by the culprits. Similarly, one bag was recovered from the site while the other one was seized from the contractor’s house. Now what remained to be confirmed was whether the rods and bags were the same which were taken from the factory.

The case property was scrutinized once again.

The bag recovered from the site bore the name of Pankaj’s factory. Pankaj used to gift such bags to his workers. Another bag recovered from Ram Lubhaya was also identical to this one.

A layer of blood smeared dust was settled on the rod. The risk of doing away with these proofs would be worth taking only if it could be ascertained first whether the products of this factory bore any trade mark or not.

The intelligence department worked on this point.

The products of the factory owned by Pankaj and Neeraj were of a high quality and were costlier than ordinary products. To make their identity felt, they used to brand their trademark on each and every product. As specimen, an intelligence man purchased a rod from the market and placed it before the SSP.

The rod was scanned scientifically. The trade-mark of Neeraj’s factory peeped from under a blot of blood.

The conspiracy of Pankaj and Neeraj had been unravelled now. These proofs were sufficient to arrest them.

Late at night the SSP called a press-conference. The contractor alongwith the material recovered from him was produced before the scribes.

Assuring the newspersons of getting track of the other accused and their imminent arrest, the SSP bade farewell to them.

……………………

EPISODE-11

Through police had got a tip-off that Ram Nath had expressed his suspicion on him. Due to fear and anger they had not even turned their face towards the hospital.

Floating on the air, this information reached the ears of the relatives as well.

Most of the common relatives inclined towards the accused side. Some of them at times fulfilled their social obligation by paying a visit to the hospital, sat with the patients for a while and then stealed their way out of the hospital premises. At their hearts there lurked a fear lest Mohan lal’s family should come to know about their attachment to the victim family and sever all links with them.

Pout relatives from Neelam’s parental side had been hovering there like crows since the day one.

Ram Nath had three sisters and two brothers. Ram Nath was the eldest of all. Next to him was Neelam and then Mangat Rai who was a ;jounior Engineer in electricity Board. The youngest was a steno in the office of Block Development and Panchayat Officer. The younger sister were primary teacher in private schools while their husbands were government school teacher.

Ram Nath’s town was at a distance of about seventy or seventy five kilometers from Maya Nagar. Other relations of Ram Nath were settled at far off places ranging from one hundred to one hundred fifty kilometers.

Distance notwithstanding, all the twelve relatives had been camping in hospital for the last three years.

Ram Nath and hjis brothers, though living separately, were together at a social level and fulfilled all social customs jointly. Their mutual affection and visits to each others family were still intact. They whole heartedly stood by each others through thick and thin.

This was for the first time that such a ;calamity had befallen their family. They were trying to share the woes of their sister and her family.

Neha was suffering more psychologically than physically. She was in a state of delirium. When she regained her consciousness a little, she started plucking her hair and screaming out to Kamal. Sometimes she felt perturbed at the very thought of being deflowered and then she apprehended Sagar’s disengagement with him on this account. Sometimes she would talk of committing suicide and at others of killing the killers.

The doctors were giving anesthesia to Neha. They were of the opinion that she need the company of a sister-like friend or a motherly aunt.

Ram Naths’s youngest sister Sushma took over this responsibility. She was Neha’s maternal aunt and could shower maternal love on her. There was a difference of only seven years in their age. Therefore they had always been just like friends. Ab initio, she had been a confidante to Neha. So she could act as a friend to her also.

Without any sense of shame Sushma had been camping at Pallavi’s house.

Mangat and his wife Sujata were looking after Ved who had escaped amputation of his leg. The doctors had declared him out of danger. The broken jaw-bone was not letting him recover from unconsciousness. After keeping him in intensive care unit for three days he had been shifted to the General ward. Although due to his unconsciousness, the attendants did not have to face any problem yet. They had to sit in attendance on Ved’s bed side round the clock.

All other relatives were attending upon Neelam.

Neelam’s condition was critical. She was kept in ICU. Tubes had been passed through her nose, throat and stomach. She was put on ventilator. Anytime, some ominous message could be expected.

Other relatives were sitting outside the ICU ward praying for the recovery of Neelam.

Rather than decreasing, Neelam’s medication was on the increase. Tests and scans were being conducted frequently on her. Blood transfusion was on and heartbeat was fluctuating fast.

Ram Nath was asking the doctors time again but he was put off every time with the words,” Wait for next twenty four hours.

………………….

EPISODE-12

A full week had elapsed but the situation was at it always was.

Some attendants of other patients admitted there started advising Ram Nath.

“This hospital is big in name only. Like civil hospitals, here also the doctors expect some gratification. They call it consultation fee. You, grease the doctor’s palm by going to his residence, then see how he opens his mouth.

Coaxed by them, Ram Nath reached senior doctor’s Kothi. Having asked something about the patient’s condition, he offered one thousand rupees as consultation fee to the doctor.

“ No fee is charged for asking about a patient admitted in the hospital. We’ll charge when you come again for consultation after the patient is discharged and sent home.

Saying this, the doctor rejected the money.

But Ram Nath’s problem stood where it was.

Some patients of Neuro ward started disheartening Ram Nath. From their personal experience they could tell that Neelam’s condition was worsening day by day. The doctors would never come out with the actual condition of the patient till he breathed his last. They had their share in test fees and other charges. They were concerned more with their fees than the life of the patient.

So the patients were pressing hard on Ram Nath to shift Neelam to some other hospital.

But where should he take the patients ? Daya Nand Hospital was one of the most reputed hospitals of North India and Neelam was undergoing her treatment under the supervision of senior doctors of this hospital who were of international repute. As a matter of routine one or the other country called them for sharing their experiences with their doctors. Neelam was lying in ICU. Every ultramodern technology was being put to use for saving her life. What more could be expected from a good hospital.

“ Let’s consult the doctor of Apollo Hospital, I think, so that we don’t have to repent later on,” said some one who was father of one of Kamal’s friends and had been visiting hospital for several days to enquire about Neelam’s well-being.

Ram Nath felt shaken from with in at this suggestion. He talked to his family members and other relations.

All relatives gathered there were wellwishers of Neelam and wanted that she must be saved at all costs.

Everybody suggested that she should be shifted to Delhi but at the same time avoided going there himself to attend on her.

There were many problems in going to Delhi. The most serious one was that of money. The expenses of this hospital had exhausted all their sources. The Apollo Hospital was far more expensive than this one. There was no expenditure on meals here. The relatives, some of them, if not all, who came to see the patients in the hospital brought tiffins with them. But in Delhi, the bill on eating and drinking would amount to hundreds a day. Here the relatives were not very far off from their places and could look after their own families by reaching there once a while. But it would be very difficult to do so from Delhi. So anybody who went to Delhi would get stuck there thus leaving other members of the family to their own fate.

Monetary problem could be solved somehow or the other. Till now entire expenditure was made by the relatives. Now Neha was in a position to speak. So she could be apprised with the whole situation and asked for money.

But who will stay with Neelam in Delhi ? This was the problem which seemed to be insoluble at the moment.

The neuro-patients have very long-term treatments. Many patients had been lying in this ward for the last six months or so. Who knows how much time it will take in Delhi.

Sushma was fed up in a week only. Under one pretext or the other she had expressed a desire to go home. She had her own compulsions. Being on an adhoc job, she could not avail a long leave. She was afraid lest she should lose her job by remaining on leave for an unusually long time. Her tuition business was also getting affected. Her mother-in-law was ill. She was passing her days in Maya Nagar with a great uneasiness. So it was not possible for her to go to Delhi.

Ram Nath found it difficult to get rid of Police also. Some times, they would visit to examine the site to manage witnesses while at others they would demand the list of stolen articles and their bills. Sometimes he was asked to identify the accused or the seized material by coming to the Police station. Out of the three brothers, one must live in the city also where their families lived. The children feel lonesome and afraid without their elders. Ashwini was left out to stay there to look after the children.

“You ask the doctors if she is in a position to be taken to Delhi or not. We are not to keep her here for dying. I’ll stay with her.”

When nobody came forward to go to Delhi. Sangeeta in her capacity of being the elder Bhabi, took upon herself the responsibility of staying with Neelam in Delhi.

But who should ask the doctors in this connection ? They would burst out like any thing at the very mention of shifting the patient.

The man who had suggested taking Neelam to Delhi gave a solution to this problem. His uncle was the contractor of Drug-store of Apollo Hospital and knew most of the doctors. Given the list of investigation reports of the patient and medicines administered to her, he could obtain their opinion without any body from Maya Nagar going there.

What else did Ram Nath want ! Her record was immediately sent to Delhi.

The Apollo doctors talked to their Dayanand counterparts on telephone.

By evening the expert opinion reached Maya Nagar.

“There was nothing to worry about. The patient was getting the same treatment as she was to be given in Delhi. Her condition was satisfactory. After a couple of days she was to be shifted to the general ward.”

This is what happened indeed !

After two days she was declared out of danger and shifted to the general ward from ICU.

………………..

EPISODE-13

Pankaj and his brother Neeraj lost their wits as they heard of raid on Ram Lubhaya’s house. From their own side they had conspired in a very fool proof manner. But within seventy two hours after the incident, the police had nabbed one of the accused and recovered a lot of stolen material also.

The long arm of law could reach their throat any time via Ram Lubhaya, the contractor. Better manage the situation before it is too late and stall the probe where it is and confine it to the migrant accused, they thought.

First of all, Pankaj rang up the MP. He should not leave for anywhere. Pankaj was coming to him. He needed Babuji’s help badly. This was the message he gave on phone.

Pankaj had telephoned at the most appropriate time. Had he been late by a few minutes, Babuji would have left for Delhi. He had an appointment with the Prime-Minister. He could not afford to lose much time so he called Pankaj at once.

“ How dares police to implicate you in a fabricated case. The nephews may be involved in litigation against their uncle. But it does not mean they will manage a dacoity in their own uncle’s house or will get their cousin murdered. Police cannot even touch you, rest assured.”

Babuji was irked at the temerity of Police as he heard what Pankaj told him.

Had someone else told him that both the brothers were in Delhi on the day the fateful incident took place, he would not have believed at all. But now he was saying this himself. Pankaj and Neeraj were in the company of Babuji on that day. A day before, they had gone together to Delhi and had been roaming about in the capital. They had come to know about this incident in Delhi. Leaving all their pursuits midway they had come back to Maya Nagar. Then how could Pankaj and his brother be a party to the crime ? Babuji wondered at the highhandedness of Police.

Their programme of going to Delhi together had been getting postponed since long. There were many thingsto be accomplished there. Sometimes Babuji had no time and at others Pankaj was held up by some urgent work.

It was with great difficulty that both the sides had found time to go together. Babuji had an appointment with the union Minister for industries . He was demanding some heavy industries for Maya Nagar. He hoped sanction for some of these industries. And it was on this issue that they were scheduled to sit together.

Pankaj and his brother wanted to kill two birds with one stone.

For the last few days, Pankaj had been suspicious of some cardiac ailment. The doctors of Maya Nagar had failed to make a proper diagnosis. He wanted to get himself examined at the Escort Hospital of Delhi.

Alongwith medical check-up, he would have a chance to have detailed exchange of views with Babuji on various issues of domestic, business and public interest during these two days. Babuji was to have a sitting with the industries minister. He could get some new industrial project also.

Their company suited babuji also. A city Honda luxury car to travel and two millionaire youths always at his service. With their capital and his influence some big project could be obtained and he would have a fat bonanza for the generations to come.

The appointment with the industries minister was fixed at six in the evening.

Pankaj should get himself examined till five. Till then Babuji would finish with his other engagements.

Till five Pankaj kept undergoing medical tests in the hospital. From blood to kidneys, every test that was made gave a favourable report. Once they had reached there, why leave any doubt ? so the doctors kept lengthening the list of tests and Pankaj kept depositing money without any hesitation. The doctors could reach any conclusion only if they detected any fault anywhere. So for reaching a conclusion, more tests were required.

He was asked to come next day once again. The appointment with the minister stretched from six to eight and then eight to eleven PM. The minister was busy in his meeting with a foreign delegation.

Due to his delayed arrival in his office, the numbers of visitors to his office had run in to hundreds. Some ministers from states and some other MP's also joined the stream of visitors. Babu Ji did not visualize any good coming out of such a hurried meeting. He got appointment from the minister at 3 Pm. The next day and returned to his flat.

Next day also passed in the same way. Till 1PM both the brothers remained in the hospital and then went to settle their business dealings with some parties.

Babuji kept roaming about in the offices.

It was during their ongoing meeting with the industries minister that the news of ill-fated incident in Maya Nagar had reached them. It was imperative on all of them to push off to Maya Nagar. It was obligatory for Babuji as a representative of the people and for Pankaj and Neeraj due to their close kinship with the victim family.

Babuji postponed all other programmes and started their journey towards Maya Nagar.

About twenty four hours before the incident took place, both the brothers were in the company of Babuji. Their attendance was marked in the Excort Hospital. Every part of Pankaj’s body had been examined there. It was very much on the hospital computer records. At the time of entering the minister’s Kothi their entry passes were made. The passes bore their photographs also. The most credible proof was Babuji himself. A gentleman as reputed as an MP could not tell a lie.

Taking stock of entire situation, Babu ji assured them all possible help. If need be, he would speak to the chief minister and seek intervention of union home-Minister and the Prime-Minister.

The MP's assurance did assuage the troubled minds of Pankaj and Neeraj a bit but there was no abatement in their palpitating hearts. Their guilty conscience was making them restless at heart. Time was not yet ripe to share this secret with Babuji. The issued could be hushed up otherwise also. Where was the need to axe our own feet ?

But they could feel at ease only after getting an inkling from the SSP. At least they should know the latest progress of Police investigation. To know this Babuji tried to contact the SSP. Both from his office and residence. Babuji received the same reply,” Sahib is out of station,” His mobile phones were switched off.

Now, Babuji smelt something black at the bottom. The SSP had never behaved like that. He was very easily accessible. Even if he was busy, he would ring back himself after getting freed. Babuji had an important role to play in bringing him here as SSP of Maya Nagar. If he was avoiding a telephone contact with him, there must be some solid reason behind all this. It was very evident. The SSP did not want to share anything regarding this incident.

The matter was quite serious. The protection of people and prestige of government, both were at stake. Politics demanded that national interest should not be given precedence over personal gains.

Babuji’s interest lay in slinking out of the situation.

“Don’t worry. I’m going to Delhi. I do have my mobile phone with me. I’ll contact the SSP again and tell you. I won’t let you face any injustice.”

Laying special stress on the word injustice, Babuji came out of his kothi and took his seat in the car.

The word `injustice' escaped from the politician's lips shook Pankaj from within. He felt as if the MP had come to know the ugly reality behind the episode. That is why perhaps he had promised to stand against injustice not in favour them.

Therefore, they should not hope much in the prevailing situation from Babuji.

Inferring everything against themselves, Pankaj and Neeraj returned as if after an exercise in futility.

……………………

EPISODE-14

Where should they go no ? Whom to approach ?

These were the questions which stared them formidably in the face and brought them on the crossroads.

“Bhai Sahib, before approaching the SSP should n’t we first get to know whether our names figure in the case or not ? The contractor may have remained tight-qipped and not broken down before the Police torture.”

Neeraj was not in favour of taking any step in sheer haste.

“ You’ve yet to grow. The hands of police are very far-reaching. They must have gone deep to the reality by now. Still, let’s remove our doubts, if you say.”

Pankaj agreed to Neeraj, just for his consolation.

“Well, let’s go to our president. He himself will find a way out,” Pankaj hit upon an influential name who could definitely have access to the confidential information of Police department.

Neeraj liked Pankaj’s suggestion. Within no time they reached the factory of Anil Jain, President Heavy Industries Association.

“Why do you worry, my dear ? You see, the inspector will come here himself and tell everything.”

The President bragged about his influence.

He immediately rang up the SHO and hind that his gift of ten thousand was awaiting him in his drawer. He should come to get it and throw light on the latest position of the case.

The SHO was busy in his investigations. He had no time to spare. But he could not refuse the president. Whenever he had to face any heavy obligation from above, it was only the president who came to his help. Jain was the president of big industrialists. They ran to him when whenever they had some problem. He first made SHO pocket his fees and then told him what he had to do. The president had his access to the top brass of police in Chandrigarh. When some threat of transfer or an inquiry loomed large on him, Jain would use his good offices to stall the process then and there. Therefore he could not say ‘no’ to the president.

Under the pretext of conducting a raid he reached the President’s factory.

Pankaj and Neeraj did not want to face the SHO. They moved in to the adjoining room.

The President handed over the ‘gift’ before offering him a cold drink.

Then he disclosed the purpose of calling him to the factory.

The police officer shuddered to hear that the president wanted to know something about the murder case.

As a matter of fact, he himself was investigating the case. But since the SSP that his own doubts about the integrity of the SHO, the whole process was being kept secret from him.

Now, that the SHO had pocketed ten thousand rupees, he had no other way out but to tell a lie for digesting the gratification.

“So far there is nothing against Pankaj and his brother on file. There is nothing to worry about for the time being. But the fingers are being raised at them. Anyway, they should remain cautions".

Thus equivocating, the SHO took leave of them.

The President was happy. He could call the SHO to his office. He was proud of himself. If the SHO says, there is nothing to worry about, he should be believed.

But Pankaj and Neeraj were not at peace. They could read between the lines, the latent meaning of what the police officer had said. He had talked of fingers being raised at them and warned them to remain cautions. It would be naïve on their part not to follow these hints,

First they received the news about the contractor's arrest and recovery of stolen or robbed material from his possession. Now they had come to know that a pocket diary recovered from Ram Lubhaya’s pocket contained Pankaj’s phone number. His visiting card had also been recovered from his pocket. All this did not augur any good for them.

As they were still sitting with the President, they received a phone call from the manager of the mobile phone company. Police had approached them to get a list of phone calls made by Pankaj and Neeraj during the last one moth. The company doubted that their phone calls were being tapped. Since they were regular customers of the company, it was their duty to inform them.

Neeraj now urged Pankaj not to waste much time in building castles in the air and suggested that they must gol underground now. They must take their friends and relatives in to confidence and strive for legal remedies by hiring a competent lawyer.

This is what both of them felt now.

They immediately parked their vehicle in the garage and switched off their mobile phones.

To evolve next strategy, they came to Ajay’s factory. Ajay was a relative of Pankaj from his in-laws side.

………………………

EPISODE-15

Ajay agreed to Pankaj.

There was hardly any scope for taking a risk. They must apply for anticipatory bail. In case their names were included in the file, the bail would save them from arrest as also harassment at the hands of police. Exclusion of their names would mean a little expenditure. But money should be no consideration on such occasions.

Pankaj had enough experience in civil cases. Often he had his involvement in the cases of taking or handing over the possession of plots or a piece of landed property here and there. When they set up their factory, they had to face some industrial disputes as well. Sometimes their credits were stuck somewhere and sometimes a cheque was bounced. So on and so forth.

This was the first time that he had to face a criminal case. Ajay was more a friend and confidant to him than a relative. Moreover he had gone through many criminal cases already.

He had to deal with police for the first time when three persons had died while digging a factory due to caving in of earth. The case was that of negligence and carelessness. But under temptation and pressure of the labour union, the police had registered a case of murder. Ajay compromised with the kins of workers by giving them due compensation. The leaders did not relish any compromise made without their involvement. They left no stone unturned in sending Ajay to jail. Ajay also assumed a tough posture. He would undergo life imprisonment and spend every penny he had on the court case but would never be on knees before the readers.

In this battle of wits, he had to knock the doors of all courts right from the session court to the supreme court.

That very experience of Ajay had turned advantageous not only for himself but friends and relatives as well.

If the industrialists of Maya Nagar needed an approach to the police they approached Anil Jain and in the case of court affairs they rushed to Ajay.

From Ajay’s factory, they rang up one or two other friends also so that they too might share their view in the case at hand. There were two top lawyers in the city-Nand Lal and Mahinder Singh. Ajay had tried both of them.

So far as knowledge of law is concerned, Mahinder Singh was more competent than Nand Lal. But he had an obsession for honesty. He believed more in locking horns with the officers rather than working in collusion with them. But in modern age, the decisions are based more on extraneous reasons then merit.

Keeping in view the prevailing circumstances. Ajay was in favour of booking Nand Lal as lawyer. He definitely charged higher than others but once he got his fees, the client’s headache was over. If the client had a capacity to spend, he himself settled everything with everybody from an orderly of the court to a judge of the supreme court.

Nand Lal had a great say in the police department. His biddings were done on telephone calls only. The Thanedars used to move around him with files in their hands. He had succeeded in building this illusory empire on the basis of his professional skill. If a minister, legislator or police officer chanced to face the court he would immediately push off to Nand Lal. They paid him his fees and also obliged him in one way or the other.

Nand Lal was nearly seventy in age. Those who used to be magistrates before his eyes were high court judges now. The Thanedars who used to sit by him to understand evidences, had become superintendents of Police by now. The Old officers had a respect for old friends. Many intricacies of the case were solved at the very mention of Nand Lal’s name.

Therefore Ajay could not think of only other lawyer than Nand Lal.

“If there is no other option, then why make delay. Give him a ring and get an appointment.”

A puzzled Neeraj did not want to waste time in any thinking over.

“Nand Lal’s fee is higher than others,” Ajay thought it his duty to tell Pankaj and Neeraj about the impending expenditure.

Pankaj and Neeraj bothered little for money. The chests were packed with currency notes. Money was a means of adding to the prestige. So prestige could not be forsaken for money. They had committed a blunder. There was every possibility of their being apprehended. They must avoid arrest by all means.

With this in view, both the brothers sanctioned the proposal of hiring Nand Lal as lawyer.

Ajay contacted Nand Lal.

He was arguing in the court that time. He was expected back in his chamber after half an hour. So they were asked to come to the court and discuss the whole thing.

Meanwhile Pankaj’s brother-in-law reached there with two of his friends and started participating in the conversation going on.

“Going to court is full of risk. Police always keeps moving about in the court premises. You can be captured anytime. Why not call the lawyer here ?

Nand Lal was telephoned once again.

But Nand Lal was not the one to go to anybody’s residence for giving consultation. Whosoever is thirsty should come to the well himself, he thought.

“Damn with such a lawyer who is not ready to talk to you even at the initial stage,” said one of the friends of Satish, Pankaj’s brother-in-law. He was interested in handing this case to one of his friends rather than Nand Lal.

“Nand Lal has grown old now. His graph is getting down Singla is on the rise today and he is one of my friends. We’ll call him here. He’ll never say ‘no’ to me,” Vinay named Singla instead of Nand Lal.

Ajay did not like Vijay’s proposal to strike down the name of Nand Lal. He preserved his proposal by making an instant reaction and ensured also Vijay’s face-saving by suggesting payment of fees to Singla.

“Nand Lal is greedy type of a person. Throw him a few crumbs, and see him coming here.

Satish knew well about Nand Lal’s avaricious nature. That is why he had proposed calling him here on the basis of his personal experience.

Once again he was called on telephone and offered separate fees for this meeting.

“First settle the fees. Rest everything will be seen later on,” said Nand Lal.

There was moderation in his attitude now.

“Have we ever paid you less earlier ? This is my own case. You’ll get what you demand. But please do come first,” Ajay tried to make him have a feel of their friendship.

“I’ll charge one lac rupees as my fees. If I’m to take this case then fifty thousand extra will be charged. If it suits you send the vehicle with half of my fees,” Nand Lal explained his terms and conditions.

Pankaj found this fees too much. He had never given more than five thousand to a lawyer. As yet there was no negative hint from the police circles and inclusion of his name was just a suspicion. It was merely a stage of applying for anticipatory bail. Any junior lawyer could do that. Nand Lal’s services could be availed at a more serious stage, he thought.

“There is no use acting like the onion thief lest we should take one hundred onions and then equal number of shoe-beatings and at last pay fine also. Nand Lal will not charge any the less fees at a later stage also and take airs at that the fees given to any other lawyer will go waste only,” Ajay shared his experience once again.

“Okay then. Send the vehicle and call him. Let’s call Singla also. Two are always better than one.”

Neeraj took decision at once.

……………………..

EPISODE-16

Singla reached earlier than Nand Lal.

He had been told about the case for which he was called. So he had gathered whatever information he could about the case.

The contractor had been produced before the court. The magistrate had remanded him to police custody for three days.

Singla had gone through the application given by the police for obtaining police remand. That application had no hint regarding the complicity of Pankaj and Neeraj in the vicious conspiracy. Police had demanded police remand just o enquire about the names of the other co-accused and recovery of the burgled material.

The public prosecutor who had obtained Ram Lubhaya’s police-remand was a close friend of Singla. He had tried to contact the public-prosecutor, but the latter was busy in some other court.

“If I’m permitted to spend something, may I ask him the latest stage of the case file ?”

In view of the Epicurean nature of the Public-prosecutor, Singla sought permission for the probable expenditure.

“don’t worry about money. You solve the problem,” Vinjay gave a green signal to Singla before Neeraj could say anything.

The P.P. was contacted on his mobile phone. He had not read the file seriously. The student's union was demonstrating outside the court. The journalists were roaming with their cameras. Mahila Mukti Samiti too was staging its Dharna. Ever since the day one, the print-media had been picking up every detail of the case. The remand was sure to be given. The PP did not have to plead much. Therefore he had not read the file minutely.

“The Thekedar (contractor) has named his accomplices. Do you remember whom he has named ?

"He is familiar with his nephew’s name only. Others were known to the nephew only. Whose name are you interested in ? Tell me frankly."

Singla conjectured that inquiry was pinned on the migrants known as Bhayyas in common parlance. Pankaj and Neeraj had nothing to worry about.

“Yaar, the fact is that Ved is involved in a civil case with my friends. They are afraid like any thing. I wanted to know about them.”

“Brother, actually I haven’t read the case diary. If you’re that interested, I can enquire about it from the police station. Where are you speaking from ? I’ll come to you via police station,” the PP said.

Singla fixed a sitting with him in Mehfil restaurant.

Pankaj had a sigh of relief. He was safe so far.

But Singla had his own fears. The government pleader seemed to be talking rubbish. What else could he say when he had not read the file at all.

“Whom else to contact now ? Singla was thinking when Babu Nand Lal arrived there.

Singla stood up in respect to his mentor and touched his knees in obeisance.

Then he started listening patiently to Nand Lal’s proposals.

…………………..

EPISODE-17

Having listened to the whole sequence of events up to now, from Neeraj, Nand Lal stepped ahead.

He had direct access to the district police chief. But he did not want to touch the top rung at the outset. He must start from the lowest rung. That would fetch him authentic information at too economical a rate.

First of all he contacted the Munshi i.e. the Police station clerk of head constable rank. Munshi is just like the mother of Police Station. He is conversant with each and every activity of the Police Station.

Recovery from the site and the accused is deposited with him. The articles put on record are far less than those actually recovered. File is replenished at the opportune time. The material lying with the Munshi indicates what the Police is going to do further. And this is what Nand Lal wanted to assess.

“Very little quantity has reached in the Malkhana; most of it is in the custody of the SSP. Stock register and Roznamcha have been kept blank. Who knows what orders the SSP issues in this regard ?”

Nand Lal felt that the Munshi was talking in a very round about way in his characteristic police style.

He never expected that the Munshi would prove so ungrateful. It was not even a week that he was acquitted in a corruption case. Had Nand Lal not intervened, the witnesses would not have budged an inch this way or that way. The Munshi had entreated before the witnesses in the most cringing manner, approached them through their relatives but they were not ready to forget insult and humiliation they were subjected to publicly. He had charged his fees and had them booked for making illicit liquor by seizing their distillery in operation. Moreover, he had given them a thrashing also in the presence of the Panchayat. Only a befitting punishment to the Munshi could cool down their seething passions. When the Munshi exhausted himself out, Nand Lal had told him about the actual contact person. The Munshi contacted the man and at the next hearing, the witnesses retracted from their earlier stance. As a result, the Munshi was acquitted.

Now the same accused seemed to be showing his back to him.

“Beta, don’t try to befool me with your roundabout talk. If you are not to feel grateful, come in the evening and take you fees. But tell me what is the reality.

An irritated Nand Lal admonished the Munshi.

The Munshi swore his best that he was not telling a lie. He really new nothing.

“Well, who can deliver the actual information?”

“Bhullar, Sahib's reader. It’s he who is scribing the whole thing. The same Bhullar who’s facing the case of burning Roznamcha. You are his lawyer, Sir.”

The Munshi made Nand Lal’s job facile by telling him not only the name of the reader but his cell phone number as well.

Bhullar had not disappointed Nand Lal.

The government pleader and Munshi, both were right in what they had said. Every proceeding made so far was just verbal. There was nothing on record. What could anybody tell ?

The case was otherwise as clear as a mirror.

In the beginning the contractor kept bearing every blow on his body. He was subjected to third degree torture also and hung upside down. But he did not divulge anything. When suddently his nephew fell into the police net, he broke down.

From Sherpur chowk of the city, a bus used to go to Bihar daily at night. The bus-owners had no route permit at all. Everything was going on illegally in connivance with the authorities. Most of the bus-passengers were Bhayyas. The police used to cast a cursory glance over these migrant labourers and their shabby luggage before the departure of the bus.

That day, police had been keeping a strict vigil on the railway station and bus-stand due to this incident of rape, rapine and murder. Every car or bus leaving the city was being searched.

The incharge of Sherpur Police post was complying strictly with the directions of the SSP. Under the pretext of search he was taking ten or twenty rupees from every Bhayya by asking him to unbundle his luggage.

As one of the Bhayyas placed a colour TV and VCR in the hind part of the bus, he overpowered him at once. At that time his immediate aim was just to fleece him of twenty-fifty rupees. He never knew that big fish was trapped. The bus-owners raised a voice of annoyance at this attitude of the chowki incharge. The police was given fees just to avoid this harassment. If the passengers were harassed like this, who would board their bus.

To get rid of the bus-owners, the chowki incharge made an imprompt excuse that such type of articles had been stolen in Deep Nagar burglary. So the Sahib had directed them strictly for checking everybody moving about with such things. So he was simply obeying his instructions.

While cooking up this story, an idea flashed across his mind, ”May be, this is indeed the stolen material.”

He forced the Bhayya to disembark the bus alongwith his luggage. He could not let him go without proper investigation. If the bus owner had any objection to it, he should talk to the SSP.

The bus owner did not want to put himself into any trouble. He started off without this particular passenger.

In the third round of investigation the Bhayya started confessing the crime.

He took out his share of jewellery and clothes from his steel trunk and placed them before the police. He also got the rod used in the criminal incident and his blood stained clothes recovered from the shrubs behind his quarter.

When the uncle and the nephew were brought face to face, the uncle lost his wits. He disclosed all the details of conspiracy.

“Well Mr. Ajay Kumar, now there is nothing vague about it. Our name is there on the file,” said a beaming Nand Lal. The details of the case as revealed by the SSP’s reader, made him happy rather than anxious. He was feeling proud of his resourcefulness. Had Nand Lal not found a clue to this mystery, police would have nabbed them from their bed-rooms. Then they would have to remain behind the bars for a year at least.

The time was thus ripe to launch an application for anticipatory bail. Before drafting the application, Nand Lal wanted every minutest detail of the incident,

The accused had to confess their crime and the confession must be made in the exclusive presence of the lawyer. Confession before others could be used against them.

To know the truth, Nand Lal took both the brothers alongwith Ajay to the adjacent room.

“You’re involved in the case now. As a lawyer, I’ve to defend you. So don’t conceal anything from me. I’ll develop some defence for you only after knowing all the aspects of the case. So tell me everything frankly, without concealing even a bit of it…… One more legal point for your information. Law allows you to lay bare your heart before me. But I’m legally bound. I can’t use any of the revelations made by you against you. Not even at a time when I’m no longer you lawyer.”

The fact was that Pankaj and his brother had hatched a conspiracy. But they never intended to go so far. They simply wanted to teach a lesson to their outrageously outspoken aunt and Kamal who had started showing his fangs to them until recently. They had no rancour either against Ved or Neha. Neha was their sister. Her honour was their own honour.

It seemed that the contractor’s greed had exceeded all limits. As per the understanding, he was not to be a party to the crime. Perhaps he wanted to pocket the amount of one person through his own participation. He was given five thousand as extra amount for purchasing uniforms and weapons. Under temptation he had embezzled that amount also and taken away two rods from the factory.

Why was Kamal murdered ? Why was Neha raped ? They had nothing to say over these issues. Rather they felt ashamed of these two events and were penitent over them.

“The evil days always come univited. What ever was destined to happen, has happened. Now bow before the will of God. I myself will defend you to the best of my capacity,” Nand Lal consoled the depressed brothers with these words and started familiarizing them with some necessary legal points.

“There are three golden principles of litigation. Remember them. This criminal case will keep clinging to you like a leech for many years. So these points, if remembered, will be of great help to you. The first point : Repose full faith in the man who fights your case. There are many a slip on this path. If some helping officer feels constrained at a particular stage, don’t think he has become disloyal to you. Second, keep patience. Criminal cases yield very slow results. Any haste way turn harmful. Third, you have enough money. Use it generously. A court case is just like a snake and ladder game. Nobody knows when you tumble down after reaching 99 mark where a big cobra swallows you down into the blind alley of zero once again. Don’t think, the intermediary has digested your money. Start your game afresh from zero. You see, success will be at your feet ultimately,” sermonized Nand Lal.

“We’ll do as you say.”

Nand Lal’s sermon sounded like a divine message to the ears of Pankaj and Neeraj who sat listening to him as if in a trance. They listened to all the points very attentively and locked them in the computers of their minds.

“Now listen one thing more. I’ll tackle every official concerned with the case myself. I’ll tell you the names of the officers' men. But it’s your job to contact the officers. If you don’t find any way out, then tell me and leave it on me.

Try to contact the session judge. Build pressure on police. You are men of influence. Go to the political people. What I mean to say is, use your good offices. It’s not yet too late. Probe can be jammed at this stage.

The Thekedar has hired a lawyer of his own community. He has studied law in Hindi medium. It’s not even sure whether he has studied at all or just managed to get a degree. If he took the Tekedar’s case, it will be more harmful to us than Thekedar himself. So that the Thekedar is not remanded further into police custody and probe is stopped where it is, it will be in our interest that a competent lawyer should plead his case. We must arrange this for our own sake,” Nand Lal was out to establish his faith in his clients by giving such valuable suggestions. He further told Pankaj and he could not plead Ram Lubhaya’s case himself. "I will appear on your side only will because if I appear on behalf of both Pankaj and Thekedar, the conspiracy hatched by them will be unraveled. The judge would easily find reason to doubt as to how the Thekedar could afford to avail Nand Lal’s services. He must naturally have been funded by Pankaj. No, we won't not let this suspicion take place in the mind of the judge. Therefore, the Thekedar should be provided with such a lawyer who should have no connection with Nand Lal’s chamber", he said.

Nand Lal himself suggested the name of the lawyer. Singla, sitting outside the room, would plead for the Thekedar.

Some third lawyer should be booked for the Thekedar’s nephew. By making Singla his lawyer, the Chacha-Bhatija nexus would come in the open.

Pankaj and Neeraj liked the bits of advice and felt highly impressed. They were all praise of Ajay’s choice, within their hearts.

They now firmly believed that with Nand Lal at their side, no harm could be done to them.

Feeling greatly relieved, Neeraj promised to obey eachand every direction given by Nand Lal. They had no dearth of money. They would spend it as generously as water. Nand Lal should only hold the fortress and pave their way to slvation.

Nand Lal looked at his watch. It was two hours that he had been sitting in the factory.

Nand lal felt that Pankaj and Neeraj had come under his spell. Now the situation was quite favourable to him. So he must cash it before the hypnotic spell is gone.

“Now I’ll take leave. Half of my fees has reached me. I’m going to my office to prepare documents. You come after an hour or so and sign the papers and bring along the remaining fees also.”

“Right Sir.”

“Yes, one last point. Here we have one session judge and five additional session judges. I’m comfortable with all of them except one. If the application goes to any of them, then we need not go any where. You try to ensure the it does n’t go anywhere else.”

“Whom should we approach ?”

“Session judge, whom else ?”

“Whom should we contact to reach the session-judge. We don’t have any routine dealings with the court people,” the very mention of session-judge made the brothers feel dejected.

“I had cheered up your mood with great effort and again you’ve pulled long faces. Okay if you can’t approach the Session-Judge, win over his superintendent at least.”

Nand Lal was tightening his noose around them in a very tactful manner.

“Please……….don’t make us face any of these botherations. Do everything yourself. You simply tell us the expenses,” Ajay who had been sitting silent till now, intervened.

This is what Nand Lal wanted.

“Please tell me what has to be given to whom ?” Fishing out a bundle of currency notes from his pocket, Pankaj said.

“Any other advocate would have demanded twenty thousands. You give me only twelve thousand including the charges of the government pleader. There will be full transparency in account. Whatever is saved will be honestly returned to you,” said Nand Lal counting something on his finger tips.

“Don’t bother about money Vaqil Sahib. Spend fifty in place of five. But police should not be seen at our door,” saying so, Pankaj handed over fifteen thousand instead of twelve thousand to the lawyer.

“Hell with the police ! Come in the evening for signing the documents alongwith the fees.”

Reminding fees for the third time, Nand Lal came out.

“Singla, you have to plead the Thekedar’s case.

Blessing Singla by patting his back, as he came out to see his mentor off, Nand Lal gave him an impression as if he had got this case for Singla.

…………………..

EPISODE-18

So long as Nand Lal had been in the factory etiquette and formality prevailed over the whole atmosphere. He was a very senior lawyer and very short-tempered at that. If somebody wavered a bit, he would throw away his offer of money.

That is why nobody had opened up before him.

Singla was of their own age and a friend also. They could lay bare their heart before him. So formality gave way to candour immediately after his departure.

“Babuji is a very clever guy. How much did he shear you beside his own fees ? asked Singla in order to make the friends aware and make for himself a niche in their hearts.

Nand Lal had asked Ajay not to open his mouth before anyone regarding the sum of fifteen thousand. It was a matter of illegal gratification. The leakage of this issue could cause more harm than benefit to them. Sometimes, afraid of earning a bad name the officers gave adverse decision.

Ajay was in a fix, whether to disclose it or not.

“Come on. Tell us. Singla is talking in our favour.”

Vinay had sensed that there was something wrong at the bottom. He tried to dig the secret out of him to please Singla at the same time.

“Not much. Just a little for clerks and Munshis,” Pankaj broke the silence.

“Very crafty oldman indeed ! He did’t feel content with one and a half lacs. After all he is a five star lawyer. He must have charged five star fees for the lower officials also.”

Singla had captured Nand Lal’s weakness. He wanted to get dual benefit out of it. First, he would save Pankaj and his brother from Nand Lal’s exploitation. Second, he would turn them into his own favour. Money has to be lavished like anything in such cases. It has to be spent at everystep. Singla could not charge exorbitant rates like Nand lal. He had to do with a part of it only. Therefore, the clients must get disillusioned with Nand Lal.

“Just see, we’ll have to please so many people. Clerks, orderlies etc. will be running after me. We’re not to pay double to anybody. Tell me how much he has taken and in whose names ? I’ll put them after the Babu.”

Singla was trying to get at the secret by using tacts characteristic to lawyers.

“He has taken fifty thousand. Said, superintendent has to be taken in to confidence. Application has to be admitted with the judge of our choice. Some others also he was talking off. What do we know who is who ?”

Neeraj was not in favour of concealing anything. Both of them were their counselors. So everything should be made clear.

“This is exactly what I feared. The whole expenditure doesn’t exceed five hundred. It’s no use paying any fees to the Superintendent. The judge himself sends applications to other judges. There is one steno, two court-clerks, one reader and another peon. All of these don’t expect more than fifty rupees each and at the most hundred. Anyway, be careful in future. If Babuji demands anything in the name of an official, say Singla has already tied up. Enough to turn him away. Otherwise things will go out of control. And once he gets used to these things, you’ll find it difficult to say ‘no’ to him. I deemed it my duty to make you alert. Rest is your choice.”

“It’s wisely said,” Pankaj was caught in a dilemma as he said. Whom should he listen to. Both of them seemed right.

Anyway, the hard times must be faced at any cost, thought Pankaj and said

“Don’t bother much about money Singla. You also pay whosoever demands from you. At the most ten or twenty thousand rupees will be spent extra. You tell me whether anticipatory bail is possible or not.”

“ Try to understand the factual position. This incident has received a wide coverage in the media. Agitation is going on in the university campus over this issue. All this will have its impact on the judges. The police will shy away from helping us. The issue is quite fresh as yet. But still we must not lose heart. Failure should not unnerve us. These are so many paths leading to success. Sessions Judge is a nice gentleman. If he keeps the application to himself, nothing like that. He never bows under any pressure.

“Any man of session judge ?”

“As a matter of fact he has no men of his own. You will find a number of people claiming to get the needful done from him but nobody dares enter his kothi. Leave it on God.

“Then what should be done after all ?”

“ What you should immediately do is, to approach the police somehow or the other. The SSP should be taken into confidence. Then the lower ranking Thanedars should be pleased. Every post has its own importance. Honour everybody.”

“Any reliable man of the SSP ?”

“ He has a number of men here. But if you trust me, approach him directly. If you involve some politician or a relative, there wil be a lot of harassment and much more to spend. The middleman will first fatten his wallet. If you go straight the officer will feel happy.”

“How can we go straight ? He is the district police chief. He’ll put us behind the bars.”

“Oh, I don’t mean going that straight. What I mean is, try to contact a go-between instead of a recommendator”

“Who is the go-between, tell us ?

“Go to Melu dairywala. He is a very transpenent type of person. He will demand ten thousand openly. There will be no foul play at all. He will go with your man and talk to the officer face to face. He will get the amount given to the SSP through your own hands. He will not refuse to go with you if need be at a later stage also.

“Okay, we’ll go to him right now.”

“Go ahead ! Tell me if there is any problem. Normally I switch off my telephone line after ten at night, but I’ll keep it on today. You can wake me up as and when you like. Now I’ll leave. The government pleader must have been waiting for me,”looking at his watch Singla got up to leave.

“Please wait a while Singla Sahib. You haven’t told us your fees. It’s four hours since you are racking your brains for us,” Ajay held him back.

This is what Singla wanted.

“Fees is not charged from near and dear ones. This is my own job.

“No, no, a lion cannot afford to be vegetarian. Friends have to be entertained, no doubt; but friendship is right in its own place. Let’s not intermingle business and friendship. Please tell your fees frankly.”

Vinay supported Singla’s cause.

“What can I demand ? I’ll accept whatever you give, in all humility.”

“Even then, say something ! said Pankaj holding a bundle of currency notes of 500 denomination.

“Yaar, I’m not Babuji to demand in lacs. You can give me somewhat equal to what his munshi deserves. What more I can say.”

“Fifteen thousand, you mean.” Vinay calculated at the rate of ten percent of Nand Lal’s fees.

“Take twenty two thousands here; said Pankaj thrusting forty four 500 rupee notes in Singla’s pocket.

“You can get something for the government pleader also.”

“Why do you put me to shame. We are the friends who sit together daily over a drink.”

Singla was contented with what he received as fees.

He did not want to lower his prestige by showing avarice.

“Any other precaution ?”

“ I think we should not invite any risk. If you have any thing risky lying in your house shift it somewhere else. Police can do any damn thing. For instance they may book you in a case regarding keeping more than permissible number of whisky bottles or send the documents recovered to the income tax authorities. They may turn the cash lying in the house into a Hawala amount and create new problems by implicating you in other cases. So whatever cash, whisky, gold or weapon is lying should be scattered here and there.”

This timely advice of Singla impressed everybody.

There were a number of such things which were illegally kept in their house but nobody had so far smelt any risk that might emanate from them.

Singla’s directive was acted upon at once. Neeraj telephoned at the residence and instructed the family members to remove all such articles from the house and move them to the relatives' places.

………………………

EPISODE-19

After Singla’s departure all the friends sat together to discuss the prevailing situation and suggestions given by the lawyers.

Singla had said there was no need at all to approach the Sessions Judge. Nand Lal’s opinion was quite the contrary. Singla says, session Judge does not listen to anybody. Nand Lal asked them to approach him if they failed to approach the Sessions Judge.

Singla had made them wary of Nand lal’s brags. They had already experienced the soaring rates of Babu Nand Lal.

Then what to do ? should they listen to Nand Lal or his pupil ?

After a good deal of thinking a middle path was explored. The Session Judge must be approached but without the help of any go-between. Some personal acquitance should be contacted.

Many a name came up for consideration, but unanimity could be reached only on the name of Partap Singh, the Registrar of High Court.

A few years back, he had been working as Additional Session Judge in Maya Nagar. Mohan Lal had made friends with him in the Satluj club.

During those days, Mohan Lal was developing a new colony. It was his wont that whenever he set upon developing a new colony he reserved some selected plots for the officers. First for the Sessions Judge, Second for the SSP or a higher Police officer, third for Tehsildar, SDM or Deputy Commissioner the fourth for an Income Tax Officer and fifth for Municipal corporation Mayor or Commissioner. This arrangement could vary also according to the circumstances.

This was a well-contemplated device for Mohan Lal which benefited him and all concerned. The officers would find an outlet for their black money. It fetched good profit also. Mohan Lal allotted plots to the officers at the cost price of land only. They were exempted from all other development expenses.

In lieu of this favour Mohan Lal would get enormous amounts for investment in his project. The officers would send him bag full of money at very liberal rates of interest.

There was another noticeable aspect of this real estate business. There was nothing to earn out of it if the colony were developed by purchasing land at market price. On the other hand the land acquired at throwaway prices turned out to be a mine of gold. But such a land, being invariably a disputed one, was not without a lot of irksome litigation. Some heir of the property could appear from the thin air with a stay order, some other would come fretting and fuming with a band of policemen. Still someone would write to the income tax authorities while a mischievous one would scuttle the process of Intqal mutation. In such like situation the concerned officer would come forward as his saviour. Due to his own vested interests associated with the colony, the officers would themselves settle the whole affair either with the might of their own pern or through other officers.

Due to this practical wisdom of Mohan Lal, there never was any hindrance in his colonization business. He had established himself firmly in this sphere. The plots were sold as soon as the colony was completed.

Mohan Lal had allotted three shops and a 400 Sq. yard plot to Partap Singh.

The first sold plots fetched comparatively less price. But as the number of sold plots increased, their prices kept mounting. When some Kothis sprang on the plots, the prices of other plots soared still higher.

Partap Singh had no dearth of money. He had sold his plot last of all and reaped a profit of lacs. The shops were still in his possession. The shops worth fifty thousand each were touching a ten times higher price now.

Apart from this, Mohan Lal had been instrumental in causing many such like profits to him. Thus friendship had turned into family ties. Some weekend Mohan Lal would be a guest at Partap Singh’s house and on some other weekend Partap Singh would visit Mohan Lal’s residence.

Even when Partap Singh was transferred from here, he would visit Mohan Lal off and on. Such friendly visits had decreased after Mohan Lal’s death only. Still on occasions like Diwali or Dussehra, Pankaj would call at Partap Singh’s residence. The family ties were as intimate as they ever were.

Mohan Lal had amicable relations with other judges also but he trusted Partap Singh most of them all.

Partap Singh had a peculiar characteristic about his personality. He used to develop good relations with his officers. He would pay visits to the officers’ Kothis and have their children make purchases of their choice. He had access even to the bed rooms of the officers.

It was due to this feature of his personality that some high court Judges had recommended his name to the Chief-Justice and brought him here. He attended more the Kothis of officers than his own office. With him at their side, the officers did not have to worry about their personal works. On occasions like the marriage of a judge’s daughter, the entire responsibility from tentage to the dowry articles was entrusted to him, nay, he himself took it upon his shoulders.

In lieu of these services, the judges danced at his tune.

He was the registrar of High Court. His own authority was in no way less than anybody else’s. He wielded abundant authority over the lower-rung judges. Their transfers, promotions, complaints against them, everything was handled by him. Making mountain of a molehill and turning a mountain into molehill was a plaything for him. It was not easy to turn down a bidding of the Registrar and particularly, when he is a gutsy officer like Partap Singh.

Neeraj wanted to talk to Partap Singh over telephone.

Ajay admonished Neeraj for his naivety. This was no child’s play. They were culprits now. It was not easy to meddle with the affairs of judiciary. Every step should be taken carefully. The prestige of the officer must be taken care of first of all. So appointment should be taken on telephone and then he should be contacted at Chandigarh, in some club or hotel, not at his residence.

During meeting care should be taken that the room-rent or dinner bill be issued in the name of someone else.

On the basis of his personal experience, Ajay was forewarning Pankaj and Neeraj against any probability of negligence while meeting a judge. He was saying all this because one of his relatives had lost his job due to such a negligence.

One of his remote relations Nauhria Ram had to decide a murder case. Both parties were millionaires, carrying brief-cases full of currency notes. The Judge had been honest throughout his life. He was approaching fast towards retirement. The accused had to be acquitted even otherwise. They had made an offer of fifty lacs to him. The amount could increase as well. One of his colleagues was mediating. This affair was being kept very secret. The colleague judge had only one condition-Nauhria Ram or his wife should only once meet the party and say this much,” The money has reached.” Thus every possibility of a misgiving would be ruled out. Nobody could doubt anybody’s honesty.

The Judge could not do away with the temptation of getting the fat amount. He gave an assenting nod for sixty thousands.

The younger brother of the judge lived in Faridabad. A room was booked there in a three-star hotel. The judge could never have imagined that he was being detected. It was beyond the imagination of the party as well. They recorded the purpose of visit in the hotel register as,” To meet the judge".

The meeting took place.

The bill was to be footed by the party. And they did it.

The plaintiff party tracked down the whole thing.

Nothing else went against the judge. The case was weak of course. There was nothing wrong about the acquittal of the accused. But why did the judge meet the accused in the hotel room. Why did the accused foot the hotel bill ? Nauhria Ram had nothing to say in his defence.

As advised by Ajay, Partap Singh was contacted on telephone. Ajay and Pankaj, took on themselves the responsibility of going to Chandigarh. The private secretary to the Chief Justice was also known to Ajay. He had solved many of his complicated problems. He would also be contacted.

Neeraj and Vijay will stay back and look after the police.

Planning to meet again the next day, they parted with each other.

…………………….

ESPISODE-20

They had to meet Partap Singh at 5 PM.

They had sufficient time. They purchased two woolen suits and four Aristocrat Shirts for the Judge and two Banarsi Saris for his wife from Maya Nagar. Scotch, dry-fruit and some other things of utility were to be purchased from Chandigarh. There was a lot of checking on the border. In hard times, problems keep multiplying on their own, Moreover, whisky was comparatively cheaper in Chandigarh.

Two shirts and one track-suit for the private secretary and a silken Sari for his wife were also purchased. Whisky and fruit would be purchased from Chandigarh.

Reaching the city they rang up Partap Singh. They had to see him in the club. But the registrar invited him at his residence. They were allowed entry into the Kothi by the servant alongwith their car.

They were seated respectfully in the drawing room. They themselves picked up suits and Saris’ packings while scotch-box and other things were lifted by the driver. They placed the packings of suits and Saris on the central table and scotch box and other things in a corner of the drawing room.

The servant appeared at once with cold water. After satisfying their thirst, they started waiting for the officer.

A frail-looking gentleman clad in immaculate white entered the drawing room with soft steps, shaking hands with both the guests, he welcomed them heartily. A glance over the expensive presents, mobilized the servant who whisked away all the things from there and took everything in with an unusual swiftness.

The glow that appeared on the face of the officer at the sight of the label ‘Teacher’ on the scotch-box was comforting for the guests. A ray of hope was enkindled in their minds.

“Why did you take so much trouble"? “said Partap Singh by way of formal thanks as his eyes glimmered with a satisfaction over the gesture of their having brought so admirable presents.

“Sir, we haven’t brought anything from outside. He is Ajay, my friend. He’s in export business. The Saris, I had brought from the South during a visit,” replied Pankaj in the same formal tone.

A stillness prevailed for sometime between both the sides.

Partap Singh thought, the sons might be toeing the line of his father. There was a slump in the real estate business during the days of terrorism. But now the situation had become normal. So he might have planned to develop a new colony and wanted to reserve a plot for him in the colony.

“How’s your business going on ? Didn’t you develop a new colony after Mohan ?” Partap Singh broke the silence with the same ideas in his mind.

“No sir, we had closed down this business during Papa’s life-time itself. The PUDA (Punjab Urban Development Authority) people harassed too much. Their conditions were very stringent. We had got two Petrol Stations in the city. Besides, we have a Gas agency also. Also we had purchased a vegetable oil and flour mill in Khanna. Younger Neeraj sits there. We have a cycle parts factory and partnership in a rolling-mill as well. We can’t find time from our business.”

“Very good. Do you take drink ?” Partap Singh asked just out of formality.

“We do take it Sir, but not today. Let it be some other time,” restlessness of heart was making Pankaj feel very uneasy. He wanted to come to the point without any loss of words now.

“Ramu bring some cold drinks then,” Partap Singh was fidgeting on the downy cushioned sofa. He was also anxious that they should come to the actual point and take leave.

“You must have come to Chandigarh for attending some marriage. I think,” the officer himself took the initiative.

“No Sir, your help is needed.”

“Yes, yes, speak out what I can do for you.”

Hoping for a good deal, the withering face of Partap Singh regained its earlier glow. May be they wanted to approach some High Court Judge, he thought.

“Sir, my Papa, you know had made my uncle a partner in his colony development business. Many Benami plots were registered in his name. After Papa’s death, he turned dishonest and filed a civil suit against us over one of the plots.”

“And that case is decided against you and you want a stay order from the High Court. Just this much ? Partap Singh wanted to avoid any superfluity of words and wanted to comes right to the point.

“No sir, you might have read in the news papers about a decoity in Maya Nagar. It took place in my uncle’s house. His son was murdered. One of my uncle's brothers in-law, I mean auntie’s brother is an advocate. The case is registered against the Kala Kachha gang. But the advocate is out to settle personal scores with us. So he implicated us by bribing the police", Pankaj tried to narrate the problem to Partap Singh.

“Sir, they have lodged an application for anticipatory bail in the court. With your kind grace and cooperation they can be saved from a lot of harassment. We’ll make whatever expenditure is needed in the process,” Ajay came to the rescue of Pankaj who was hesitating in saying this.

Partap Singh’s mind was set in motion immediately like a computer, making all sorts of calculations.

The problem was that of obtaining anticipatory bail. It was a case of murder, dacoity and rape. All of these were non-bailable crimes. But this was a case with all the three committed together. Then who the hell could bail them out in anticipation. Moreover the incident was still fresh. The accused had been apprehended. The police was in possession of substantial proofs of the complicity of Pankaj and Neeraj. The media was raking up this issue glamorously. The government was out to save its own skin. No, it was impossible. For seeking some way out, Partap Singh perused the list of judges posted in Maya Nagar. The session Judge was not a great expert in law but was indubitably honest. There was no use asking a favour from such a person. Partap Singh was not in favour of getting anything done free of charge. They were no cousins of him. He did not want to pocket the whole amount himself. It would bring him a bad name. Partnership was always good in such affairs. But here there was no chance of partnership either.

Except only Sadhu Singh, he could influence all other additional Session Judges. Sadhu Singh was not only a Sadhu (Saint) by name, he was a Sadhu by temperament as well. He had neither taken a penny as graft nor would he ever accept it in future. He was not undergoing any probe and he never bothered for good or bad station. Neither any body ever approached him, no did he listen to anybody. Even if somebody blundered to approach him through some one, he would insult that party publicly in the court and delivered judgement against them on the plea that they had tried to influence the judge. He could also go to the extent of putting on record the name of the recommending person and land him in trouble.

Since some years the lawyers of Mayanagar had been taking up cudgels against the corruption plaguing the judiciary. As a result, a judge had to proceed on retirement. Out of shame he had to shift overnight from Mayanagar. One of the additional Sessions Judges found it hard to justify his misdeeds. He started having nightmares of dismissal and imprisonment. He had died two months after he was transferred to Sangrur. As per record and family sources he had succumbled to a cardiac arrest but everybody knew that he had committed suicide.

In keeping with this crusade of lawyers against corruption, very selected judges were being posted in Maya Nagar.and Sadhu Singh was one of the selected few.

The other judges also figured in the list of honest ones but they were not as obstinate as Sadhu Singh. However, some times they compromised also but playing very safe at the same time. Half of the industry of Punjab was concentrated in Maya Nagar. In most of the cases one of the parties was the state. Such cases normally pertained to power-pilferage, income-tax evasion, allotment of government plots etc. Every other day the government acquired the land of farmers on minimal prices. Then suits were filed to get viable rates. Even if a judge decided the price of land half the market rate, the compensation payable to the farmers would reach crores. In such cases nobody would leak anything even if the judge received graft money well poised in his seat. The government pleaders were already in collusion with the land owners.

Such clandestine activities were still going on in Maya Nagar. To camouflage their activities the judges used to frequent High Court. They had to deal with Partap Singh. They could not refuse the registrar. So any one of them could be approached. Alongwith this, Partap Singh was also pondering over the issues on which anticipatory bail could become a feasibility.

The names of the accused did not figure in the report but their acrimonious relations with the plantiff party were established. The conspiracy hatched between the contractor and Pankaj formed a part of the case file. The judge could issue anticipatory bail for a few days. Moreover if the police cooperated and abstained from demanding police custody, the judge could regularize the bail.

Then Partap Singh imagined himself occupying the judgement-seat and thought what he would have decided in this case. In normal circumstances, he could take the risk of issuing anticipatory bail but here the case was far from being normal.

The accused party was very rich. Even if the anticipatory bail was granted without accepting any graft, the judge would be prone to the accusing fingers. Media was all out to expose each and everything related to this case. The intelligence wing of the Bar Association President was for more vigilant than the police intelligence. He would smell a penny of graft even if it was taken in the mythical Netherland. So the judge would be open to risk from all sides.

Partap Singh himself could not dare do it through himself. Why should he recommend doing anything to any of his colleagues what the could not do himself ? Having well assessed all pros and cons of the case he concluded that no judge in Maya nagar could grant an anticipatory bail to the accused. Therefore, for the time being there was no use approaching anybody.

On the other hand a goose laying golden eggs could not be let loose. The orders rejecting anticipatory bail could be appealed against in the High Court. Nobody could dare speak against this court. Whosoever did so could be thrown behind the bars under contempt of court. Partap Singh could get any kind of orders issued by the High Court. Till that time, the party must be kept under hand.

“You are just like my son to me. I cannot misguide you at all. I cannot either get your money wasted. What will my brother in the heaven think of me? Don’t expect anything from Mayanagar. Nobody can help you then. I assure you that you will get stay order in the very first hearing from the High Court. At the next hearing, even the chief Minister cannot stop acceptance of anticipatory bail. This is for me to decide as to which judge your application has to be sent. We’ll send it to one of our friends and then get the desired decision by sitting near him. It’s a matter of just four-five days spend your time in the hiding some where.

“Uncle we had come to you with a great hope. Two lacs, three lacs, we’ll spend whatever you order us. But please do the needful,” Ajay thought, the issue lingered because of no settlement of amount. Perhaps the judicial officer was shying away from such a settlement. That is why he touched the issue of money.

The offer of three lacs made Partap Singh rack his brains once again but all in vain.

“The question is not that of money only. There no judge can do this work for you. It will be done here. Through my hands. Still ring me up tomorrow and tell me to whom is your application sent. We’ll see to it.”

Partap Singh again resumed his lost ground. The offer was big enough. May be it turns the head of some judge.

“Please try asking the sessions judge for sending the application to one of your acquaintances,” Ajay was not yet in a mood to surrender.

“It’s of no use. It will simply arouse suspicion in his mind. Let him send it where he likes.”

“Right sir. If it’s rejected there, will you get it done here ? Pankaj asked Partap Singh in order to get a firm assurance from him.

“Hundred percent guaranteed, Beta. Here, your uncle dominates. I get the noose off the neck. Bail is just a small issue.”

Pankaj lost heart as he came out of the registrar’s kothi. Nobody could do what Partap Singh had failed to do. Imprisonment was unavoidable now, he thought.

“This is no sales tax evasion case. It’s a murder case. We’ll have to strive a lot. Have patience as Nand Lal said. Look at the brighter side only. The registrar Sahib has taken on himself the responsibility of getting us bail from the High Court. Is this something small ? He has not tried to give us a lollypop of false assurance. This is his greatness.”

Ajay wanted to bring Pankaj out of the dark abysses of frustration.

……………………

EPISODE-21

Pankaj was desperately sad. He wanted to go back to Mayanagar. How could a class-III official do what the registrar could not ?

Ajay was not the one to lose courage. He had full faith in the potential of clerical staff. Sometimes, where the Prime Minister failed, his cooks succeeded. Ajay had tested Lakshman Singh umpteen times. He had been highly useful to him.

Moreover it would have been different if they had not rung him up. Now it would be foolish not to meet the man after getting time from him. The case was not going to end so soon. Who knows how long it would take. They were bound to visit the High Court frequently. It was he who would be of help to them in smaller things.

Persuading Pankaj thus, Ajay took him towards the quarter of the Private Secretary who was already waiting for them. It was past twilight. His drinking time was running out. He found it hard to wait any longer.

Lakshman Singh’s quarter was small but his family was big. He felt ashamed in drinking in the presence of daughter and daughter-in-law. Drinking in hotels or pubs was too expensive to afford. He was also fond of taking non-vegetarian food but it was not cooked at home.

That is why he was waiting impatiently for the affluent party like Ajay. To add to the mirth of the occasion, he took along Bhogal, his neighbor with him. Let him also enjoy the feast free of cost.

Ajay had no time to sit and have a cup of tea by sitting at Lakshman Singh’s house. Therefore he was asked to have his seat in the vehicle and direct the driver to where he wanted to sit.

Bhogal wanted to sit in the Zimidar Dhaba at old Bus Stand. Soda, eggs and meat, everything was comparatively cheaper there and no sitting charges were taken.

Lakshman Singh pitied the level of Bhogal’s thinking. Bhogal was an employee in education department. The farthest reach of his parties ended up to Zimidara Dhaba.

Now he was going with the private secretary of the Chief Justice and an affluent party of Mayanagar was taking them in their luxury vehicle. Today, they would enjoy by sitting in an air-conditioned Bar of an elegant hotel.

He directed the vehicle towards a three star hotel.

“Four pegs Peter Scott. First of all chicken-roasted. Then a chilly chicken. Two plates fish. Bone less,” immediately after sitting at a table, the secretary ordered the waiter and then asked the reason of their visit to the state capital.

“Anticipatory bail of a murder accused. Approach to the Sessions-Judge,” the whole mood of the secretary was spoiled as he listened to the purpose of their visit.

Lakshman Singh had thought that Ajay might have come to Chandigarh for hiring a High Court lawyer or to obtain a copy of some old case. In both the cases he had to earn. The lawyer had to pay him his share. He would have acquired the copy from the concerned clerk through his personal influence and pocketed the clerks fees himself.

There was no complaint against the Judges posted in Mayanagar with the Chief Justice. Therefore, they had never needed Lakshman Singh.

Earlier, the secretary had obliged Ajay by approaching two judges who were steeped to neck in corruption. There were many complaints against them with the Chief Justice. They would visit High Court at least once a month. Before meeting the chief, they would see the secretary and get a hint on the probable action against them. They would also ask him about the gravity of the complaint and mood of the boss. In lieu of this cooperation they would feel indebted to the secretary and obliged him in one way or the other.

But today, he was in no position to oblige. Gulping down peg after peg and tearing at the bones, he was thinking of saving his face only without forfeiting his influence.

Pankaj had not taken any drink. Due to a lot of mental tension he was yawning. His whole body was aching. His throat was parched. Four five cokes had failed to quench his thirst.

Ajay could well understand the uneasiness of Pankaj’s turmoiled state of mind. He was also anxious to arrive at some conclusion soon and go back.

But the secretary was silent. He had taken four pegs. Many plates of chicken and fish had already been consumed.

“Should we expect something from you or not ?” asked Ajay in irritation to diverte his attention from just eating and drinking.

The secretary had started feeling a kick of the scotch. The spicy chicken had caused flatulence while the gas of sodas seemed to have swelled his abdomen as if by tympanites. His belt slipped from his paunch down to the waist. The stains of gravy had painted different kinds of maps on his shirt. The part of shirt that came out from the front side of his pants looked very shabby.

The secretary knew that he was not in a position to oblige Ajay. But he did not want to finish the sitting halfway by saying a plain ‘no’. So he was trying to complete his quota of food and drink in utter haste. He felt very abashed and humiliated at Ajay’s rudeness. He was being insulted for just a few draughts of liquor. At once he contained his turbulent mind. There was nothing unusual or unprecedented about it. So he wanted to console Ajay by boasting But Ajay was having a mobile phone. He would immediately dial the number of the judge’s phone and hand the set over to him. Then it would be difficult to get out of his own trap.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go to the chief tomorrow morning and ask him to ring up the session judge. It he wavers a little I’ll fall at the feet of his wife for you. She cannot refuse me. And the judge cannot refuse her in turn. This is how our work will be done,” after guzzling two large pegs at a stretch, the secretary did not know what he was talking about.

Pankaj had got absolutely fed up with the noisome behaviour of the secretary.

Pankaj had pursued many a trade and had hundreds of meetings with the officers. So by now he had assessed that the secretary was good for nothing. He was eating like a bull. This is what irked Pankaj. What a disgusting obsession with food and drink ! he thought.

Had they come here in normal circumstances, he would catch hold of Ajay by the arm and returned with him to Mayanagar, leaving the glutton secretary sitting in the hotel. But now he was facing a criminal case. Any exasperated officer could turn damaging to him. Though such an official could do no good but he was certainly in a position to do great harm. That is why he was putting up with the improprieties of the secretary.

The secretary wanted to have dinner also and take home packed Ras-Malai for the children.

“ Secretary Sahib ! you are out now. Take this last peg and let’s move “

Before the secretary could make the waiter note down the dinner order, Ajay handed the last glass to him and announced his decision.

The secretary quietly drained the liquor down his throat and got up utterly annoyed.

Pankaj paid the bill at the counter.

Bhogal supported the secretary as he took him to the car.

They had been receiving phone calls from Neeraj since long. It was half past night. It was not advisable for him to remain outdoors at such odd hours.

The secretary’s family was waiting for him outside his quarter.

Immediately after the secretary and Bhogal got out of their vehicle, they drove fast towards Maya Nagar.

…………………..

EPISODE-22

Everything advised by advocate Singla was okay but the one regarding meeting Melu, the milk-vendor was not palatable.

Pankaj and Neeraj were among a chosen few industrialists of Maya Nagar. They owned property worth about ten crores. They enjoyed great influence in the city. Political persons used to visit their office very often. In every election, they contributed to the party-fund of every political party. All officers of Mayanagar and almost half of those posted in Chandigarh were known to them. This was the actual investment of their father Mohan Lal. He would never sit at ease unless he developed friendly relations with the officer he met only once. He spent lavishly on the marriages in the officers families. He used to pay one lac rupees as shagun in the marriages of IAS officers and fifty thousand on marriage occasions in the families of PCS officers. During winter season he would go to Chandigarh with two Monte Carlo sweaters for the Sahib and a Pashmina Shawl for his wife. The hosiery goods of Mayanagar were famous the world over and exported to several countries. If an officer wanted to purchase some hosiery goods, he would invite him to Mayanagar. The officer stayed at his residence along with his family for days together. There was a lot of fun and frolic. The children of many an officer had been playmates of Pankaj and Neeraj. Their relations were more intimate than those of their parents.

They would ask some political leader or a high ranking officer rather than Melu, to ring up the SSP. They would go later on for paying his fees at his residence. This is how they always got their works done.

The MP had left for Delhi a day before yesterday. He might have come back. He might have talked to the SSP. He also might have got the union Home Minister to ring up the Police top brass in their favour. He had promised to do so before he left for Delhi. He was true to his word. He might be bluffing with others, but for them he was very loyal.

For a couple of years they had developed personal type of relations and their business relations had also become more solid.

Mohan Lal had installed his first petrol station at a very high cost. Within a year after its installation he had grasped the intricacies of this trade.

If the petrol pump is allotted directly by the minister and land for installing it is given by the state government, this business starts churning out gold.

Babuji had become MP for the first time and it was for the first time that his party had come in to power at the center. Therefore the MP was not yet aware of his powers nor did he know how to get work done.

First Mohan Lal himself studied the quotas under the discretion of an MP and then apprised the MP with the same. When Babuji became aware of his immense powers, he directed all his might towards Mohan Lal. What objection could he have if one or two telephone calls made by him benefit two generations of Mohan Lal.

When Mohan Lal showed the account books of the petrol station to Babuji, it opened his eyes. He immediately rang up the Petroleum Minister and did not sit at ease until a new petrol pump was sanctioned for Mohan Lal.

Now the question was where to install the petrol pump.

Since the day one, Mohan Lal had fixed his gaze on a government plot lying vacant in the heart of the city. It could be acquired at a throwaway price. If the petrol station was set up there, it would make a ten times turnover. If the land was acquired at market rates, the income of this pump would not be able to pay off even the interest of the invested money.

So Mohan Lal started maneuvering the allotment of the plot by pleasing the officers concerned. He obliged every officer the way he liked by using all possible means like lucre, liquor and woman. Consequently he got a two crore worth plot at a price of only ten lacs on a ninety-year lease.

This plot was surrounded by government quarters. The installation of petrol pump would cause pollution for them. The drivers could resort to vandalism. Traffic jams would also become unavoidable. The dust raised by the vehicles would soil the outer coating of the quarters and spoil the curtains and furniture of the inmates of these houses. Therefore, the residents of these quarters started opposing vehemently the installation of petrol station at this site.

The employees living in the quarters obtained the copies of agreements from the old files and handed over the proofs of the nexus between the petrol Pump owner and the officers to the press. The press people sensationalized the issue by scandalizing it to the best of their professional capabilities. The opposition leaders proclaimed their support to the residents of the government quarters. A former Minister staged dharna at the site of Petrol Pump. “Petrol Pump can be built on my dead body only,” he declared.

The officers were flabbergasted. They started thinking of how to save their own skin.

To cool down the situation Mohan Lal knocked at the door of the High Court. The court ordered status quo on the issue. This was in keeping with the wishes of Mohan Lal. The matter became sub judice and the government became helpless. The cancellation of allotment was averted for the time being.

In no longer than one year Mohan Lal pacified all the parties.

A rapprochement was made with the former minister.

He promised to the residents of the colony that the petrol station was not meant for heavy vehicles. It was meant only for two wheelers. So there was hardly any chance of hooliganism on the part of the drivers.

In the surplus space Mohan Lal would establish a shopping complex where the residents would get cheap and fresh material. So it was in the larger interests of the colony. The crafty business man thus succeeded in persuading the gullible dwellers of the government quarters.

The decision of the petition was managed in a very sly manner and overnight the pump became operational. In the beginning the petrol station catered only to the two wheelers as directed by the High Court. After six months cars also came to be fuelled from here. The cars were followed by buses and road monsters called trucks. A workshop also started functioning nearby. If the colony residents had a little bit of inconvenience they found all this comfortable as well. The dust raised by the issue settled on its own in due course of time.

Following the success of the petrol station, Babuji got three gas-agencies sactioned for Mayanagar. The MP had nothing to do with who was given the two remaining agencies by the Petroleum Ministry authorities. The third one, reserved for backward classes, was actually reserved for Babuji. So he got it allotted to the man of his own choice.

These two ventures made the future of the politician very secure and he was grateful to Mohan Lal for this economic security. Now Pankaj was concretizing these relations in his own way.

In this age of globalization, many multi-national companies were trying their level best to set their feet firmly in India. The central government was encouraging foreign investment. The industry Minister was quite often on a tour to other countries along with a delegation. Babuji also had accompanied the minister on some of these foreign trips. He was confidentially trying to enter into a deal with some Japanese company. Given generous concessions, the company could think of setting up a heavy motor cycle industry in this part of Punjab. In lieu of his services, Babuji could be given some shares of the company. He himself could not become a partner to the company nor did he have that much capital. So instead of himself, he recommended Pankaj’s name. The deal was about to get finalized. Therefore Babuji shuttled frequently between Delhi and Mayanagar.

Another offer was made to Pankaj from Germany through a friend. Indian army used to purchase most of the spares of their guns from America. This German company could manufacture the self-same spares in India. If someone helped them contact the Ministry of Defence, the company could launch its project by making Pankaj its partner. Babuji was trying also to see this project launched. It could also make him a denizen of EI Dorado.

With such a deep intimacy of mutual relations between them; how could Babuji turn his back on Pankaj and his brother ?

Neeraj had contacted Babuji with great trust,

The residential sources said he was away to Delhi. From Delhi it was told that he had gone to Bangalore for attending the meeting of Executive body. Mobile phone was not functional there. Another phone call was made. The call was through but nobody was picking up the receiver from the other end.

“What if Babuji is out of station. Chairman Sahib is very much available in Mayanagar. He is no less influential than Babuji,” they thought and started trying to contact the Chairman.

………………………..

EPISODE-23

The Chairman had been camping in Mayanagar for the last three days. A camp of the Party workers was in progress. The entire onus of management was on him. So he called them to the camp. He was not allowed to leave the camp as it was violative of the party discipline as well as disruptive for the camp activity.

The Chairman also assigned Neeraj a duty. He should bring along with him two petis (wooden-packings) of apple and five kilogram ladoos for the cadets. Evening refreshment must be from the family of Mohan Lal.

They immediately reached the camp with a little more than what they were asked for.

Seeing him in the uniform of cadets, nobody could say that the man in vest and shorts had been MLA twice and now was the Chairman of Khadi Board. He looked like a drill master of some high school.

Sending the eatables brought by Pankaj and Neeraj in to the kitchen, the Chairman took them to their office. There was a personal assistant sitting there near a telephone.

Meeting commoners was prohibited during the camp days. But Pankaj and Neeraj were not commoners. They were financers of the party. Now the party was in power. They could ask any one for funds. During his life time Pankaj’s father used to bear all expenditure of the camps, more so at a time when people were scared of even uttering the name of this party. When the party was in opposition, Mohan Lal would oblige the Chairman by supplying a bus, truck, ration or whatever he said without any hesitation at all.

The party could never be oblivious of Mohan Lal’s favour which he conferred on it by giving a plot for the construction of Sarv-Hitkari school building, at cost price. So much so that he had got two rooms constructed from his own side for starting the school. Also, he had introduced scholarships in the memory of his father for the promising children from the weaker sections of the society.

The sons were moving rather two steps ahead of their father. They built an assembly hall in the school in the memory of Mohan Lal. The number of scholarships was doubled.

The Chairman had met a very few people during the camp. Therefore, he was not conversant with the latest developments in the city. He had, however, read about an incident of dacoity in a house in some news papers. He was shocked to know that the victim was no other than Pankaj’s uncle Ved and his family. He was ready to help the bereaved family by all means.

But colour forsook his cheeks as he heard of complicity of Pankaj and Neeraj in the criminal conspiracy and suspicion of police in this regard. He was stunned. He felt as if he himself was going to be a party to the conspiracy.

His heart seemed to be sinking. It was good that most of the people had not so far come to know about this meeting of him with the suspects. The Chairman had a very spotless reputation. He was worried lest his unsullied repute should be polluted with his meeting with the accused.

“Tell me, what can I do for you ? In fact, it is time for my taking the class", looking at his watch the Chairman expressed his restlessness.

“Babu is away to Bangalore. You please give a ring to the SSP and say that we are innocent in the case. So the police should not harass us.”

“Where is the need for a telephone call ? Such things are not said on phones. These have to be discussed by sitting together. Today, the SSP is visiting the camp to address the cadets. Then I’ll talk to him. You don’t worry. No injustice will be done to you.”

Saying this the Chairman got up from his chair.

“Please keep sitting. Have a cup of tea………Boy ! bring two cups of tea for the guests…………..bring something to eat as well.”

Thus asking a cadet to bring tea, he hastened his steps towards the class-room.

This callous outlook of the Chairman anguished Neeraj. For the first time he realized that he was enmeshed in a crisis. Everybody was getting estranged from them, he felt.

With an agitated mind they came out of the camp without waiting for tea.

“It seems Babuji has deliberately left for Bangalore. You saw the attitude of this hypocrite ? Just three days back he had kept sitting in my office throughout the day for taking subscription for this camp. Now he is behaving as if we have became outcasts. We’ll have to go behind the bars, I think.

Trembling with fear, Neeraj was speaking his heart out.

“Oi, nothing will go wrong. Money will set everything right. This is a party of Banias. They are fit for business only and avoid disputes. Don’t worry, we’ll find a way out till evening.”

Vinay tried to assuage the feelings of Neeraj whose morale was at the lowest ebb now.

…………………………

EPISODE-24

After wandering from pillar to post, Pankaj and Neeraj remembered advocate Singla’s advice. The court affairs are quite different from other affairs of ordinary life. That is why perhaps, the lawyers are a class apart in the society.

Acting upon the lawyer's advice they steered their car towards the dairy of Melu.

“Who is this Melu after all ?” with this curiosity they dialled many phone numbers to ascertain the background of this man.

Melu was fond of wrestling ever since his childhood. The then state police chief had also been a wrestler in his past. To ameliorate the lot of wrestlers he recruited many wrestlers in the police force. For regular exercise he provisioned a wrestling ring in every police lines. To test his muscles Melu started going to the Akhara (ring). The ranks of policemen he came in contact with at the policelines Akhara ranged from inspector to the Deputy Suprintendent. He made friends with them.

Pure milk was the first requirement of a wrestler. And this was the most scarce commodity in Mayanagar. At the motivation of wrestlers, Melu brought a buffalo in his stable.

His self being a wrestler Melu could well realize the importance of pure milk. Adulteration was a sin in his eyes. The honesty in occupation escalated his business on one hand and helped him develop a friendly circle among police personnel on the other.

Faith in the purity of his milk gradually turned into faith in his words. Really, he was a plainspoken man, fully transparent. With no opaqueness of word or deed.

That is why Melu’s bidding was done first of all.

Melu was a milk-vendor just on a literal level but the grace he lived in, resembled that of a milk plant proprietor.

His office had black glass panels on all sides which gave it a majestic look. It was furnished with ultramodern furniture. There were two telephones, a television and refrigerator in the office.

The face of Melu, clad in white Kurta Pajama, had a mystical glow on it. At least a five tola bracelet and a golden watch on his sturdy wrist, four studded rings in each of his fingers and a heavy gold chain around his neck made Melu look like an aristocrat. He had in his hand a small mobile phone instrument.

Melu welcomed Neeraj and Pankaj as warmly as if they were known to each other since ages. The very mention of advocate Singla’s name made him understand the purpose of their visit. Perhaps Singla had already phoned him about their arrival.

According to his basic nature and temperament, Melu straightway jumped upon the real point.

Taking his share of ten thousand he slipped it into his big pocket. The SSP’s demand would be known only after talking to him.

Melu talked to the SSP over his mobile phone and explained the cause of calling.

The SSP was going to Chandigarh for attending an important meeting. So he said,

"Either come right now or tomorrow.”

But it would be better to go now.

It was not advisable for Neeraj to go to the SSP’s residence Vinay could go.

“Have you brought something with you ?” before leaving for the kothi of SSP. Melu wanted to assess the party.

“It’s half a Peti (fifty thousand).”

“What will half Peti do ? Complete one at least. Anyway, manage it on the way, you are not the ones to have any scarcity of money.”

To keep the whole deal secret, Melu got their vehicle parked in his own garage. He took out his own Esteem and drove towards the SSP’s residence by seating both the brothers in it.

Neeraj was dropped at Madaan’s kothi. The remaining amount was taken from him and they reached the SSP’s residence five minutes before the scheduled time.

The SSP finished the whole conversation in two minutes. This incident was done at the behest of Pankaj and Neeraj. The contractor and his nephew had got the whole narration tape-recorded. By way of proof, the SSP played some excerpts from the narration before them on the tape recorder. The police had got several solid proofs against them. He detailed some of these to Vinjay. He could confirm the same from Neeraj if he liked,” the SSP said.

Vinay talked to Neeraj on phone.” What should be done now,” he asked.

Neeraj started weeping bitterly. What the SSP was saying was right. Vinay should try to disengage him from this case some how or the other, he entreated.

The deal was settled in five lacs. The amount should reach Melu by tomorrow. In turn, the SSP would lend them all out support. Many of the proofs would be destroyed. The witnesses would be of Neeraj’s choice. They would backtrack on their statements. The police station record would be made in a way that might favour them. They would keep getting a copy of every document.

The SSP laid down one more condition. Since the case was well in the notice of every senior officer and even the Chief Minister, the party would contact them itself. Under pressure from above and an eye-wash in public, the police might have to enact a little movement also.

He gave a suggestion also.

The press people must be taken care of from now on he would try his best to mislead the press. He would present distorted facts, would change the statements every other day. The accused should keep with them the clippings of news regarding the case. These would be of great advantage to them in the hearing of the case.

Moreover, the SSP was in touch with his high-ups. In case the things seemed to be going out of control, he would handle the officers themselves.

“Rest every thing will be seen later on. Now go and try for anticipatory bail. Till the bail is granted the police will do everything except arresting you,” the SSP assured.

……………………..

EPISODE-25

The Session Judge did exactly what they apprehended. The application for anticipatory bail was sent to Sadhu Singh. It was no child’s play to approach him. What to speak of accepting graft money, he not even accepted a glass of water from anybody. Vinay had enquired into his life style from an orderly working at his kothi. According to him, Sadhu Singh’s house was no less that a hermit’s cottage. No car, no air-conditioner. An old modeled scooter. Sofa and double-bed seemed to have been a part of dowry at the time of his marriage. Drawing room was no better than a clerk’s sitting room. No carpeting, no expensive show-pieces. He was a man of very simple food habits. He neither took non-vegetarian food nor had a drink. An embodiment of simple living and high thinking.

He had not minted money of course but had paid much attention to building the career of his children. His eldest daughter was a lecturer in Punjabi University and son-in-law was a heart-specialist. The younger son was studying Engineering in Electronics in IIT Delhi. He had got a compus-placement in a multinational company of Switzerland. Being a shining student the expenses of his studies were being borne by the company beside five thousand rupees as extra allowance.

The eldest son was the most brilliant. He had cleared IAS examination in first attempt. He had been allotted Punjab cadre. But rather than getting an appointment letter, he got an invitation from the abode of God. He was involved in a road-accident and deserted Sadhu Singh. This untimely death of his son had left Sadhu Singh a changed man altogether.

He could not adjust himself psychologically with this great injustice of nature. He always kept thinking as to why he was punished so heavily by providence. One day a voice from within him answered this query.

“Now do you understand what injustice means ? You are occupying a seat of justice. People deem you another God. Do you deliver all the judgements based on justice ?”

Sadhu Singh could not reply to these soul-searching queries in the affirmative.

But from that day onwards his hands on the scale of justice never let it tilt in favour of injustice. Now nobody could swerve him from the path of righteousness.

How was the anticipatory bail sent to this rock of a man ? The accused contacted Nand Lal to get an answer to this question. He had got ten thousand not to let their application go to Sadhu Singh.